Buyer Behavior
1) Segment. The segment I have chosen is the library patron segment. Although almost all my research and data collection has been based on the student customer segment, it is important to not keep a closed mind when it comes to such a big need. Seeing as I work at Marston Library, I just asked three patrons who came up to the desk a few simple questions.
2) Interviewees
- Male, grad student, writing a thesis
- Female, freshman, pre-med
- Female, junior, finance major
3) Interviews
All three interviewees expressed a clear need AND desire for such a product. All three have been stuck in a situation in the library where they needed to find something and kept getting stuck or more lost. The first thing all three of them said they did was come to the desk to ask for assistance (which I can attest to because they all came to ask questions about books or locations). For Interviewee 1, the original answer to his question about finding a book was to check the online catalog, however, because he is unfamiliar with the system it became more confusing. He said that something like my proposed app would be incredibly helpful in helping him find the books he needs to write his thesis and dissertation, he also said it would be helpful in finding his graduate carrell. Interviewees 2 and 3 agreed with this, and also suggested it could help find study rooms or the tables where their friends are studying. Interviewee 2 never really goes to her friends to discuss these matters, because as freshman they all feel very lost, but Interviewee 3 stated that she’s tried to ask her friends for directions but usually ends up on the wrong floor or on the other side of the building.
4) Findings
More people experience this need than I originally thought. An app like this could help countless people and could potentially be programmed to do things I hadn’t considered. For example, it could easily tell a user how to arrive at the study room they rented or what section or booth in the library their groupmates are at.
5) Conclusion
These interviews helped me find a need within a need and customer base within a customer base. It just proves that an app that some consider vague is really just versatile. It has the potential to be a great help and an even greater profit.
Jessica,
ReplyDeleteThrough reading many of your posts, I have enjoyed the expansion of your idea! I think that interviewing and including people that need help in libraries was an interesting viewpoint that I also constantly have an issue with! Every floor in every library is so different, and personally, finding my friends is a struggle sometimes, so being able to share your location (like on a regular GPS) would also be extremely helpful!
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteAgain, this is a really interesting idea, and I definitely understand why people would use this in the Library. So as far as the segment you choose, I feel it is another example of a need for your product, It makes me wonder about the technical side behind the app, like what would need to be done to give students such detailed navigation of all the libraries the visit, like how the google cars with cameras drive around to map all every area, I'd love to see how it would be done.