Existing Market:
I feel the next step for my product is to have specialized wrappers depending on the location of the machines. These different wrappers will be funny and related to where the vending machine is located., for example different universities will have different memes that are related to the students on their campus.
Reflection:
After talking to three people that are in my market I have heard that a lot of people recommend that we create vending machines that are more discrete and smaller than the average drink machine. If we were able to embed them in the walls and have a small screen that the customers could select a condom from it would make the person that much more comfortable to actually use the machine. Another interviewee mentioned having more than just condoms in the machine, but also having different types of popular lubes and such. I don;t see a big future putting other accessories besides condoms in my machine because the original purpose of the machines was to help reduce STD rates on campus.
New Market:
My existing market is geared towards college kids but a market i haven't appealed is the older crowd. Older may be the wrong word, but the new market would be people above the age of 24. I think with little bit of redesign our machines could also appeal to the more mature crowds that frequent bars and other drinking establishments. I believe there are already condom vending machines in heavy drinking cities like New York and .L.A. so there would be more competition than my previous market.
Reflection:
After speaking to two people from an older crowd I have discovered how awkward it is to talk about condoms with them. But they both said about the same thing, that there are usually a bowl of free condoms or a vending machine in the men's restrooms. So I could redesign my machines to be feminine and market them to for the ladies restrooms so that they can have a chance to provide the protection. Interviewee 1 said that she always keeps one on her when she goes out just in case but it can be awkward if others see it cause they assume things so she would love to have a machine to buy one in case things did progress throughout the night.
I think that your respondents’ ideas are very creative!! If you can sell condoms and lubricants at the same time, your customer volume will definitely increase quickly. Moreover, many guests will be curious to see your machine even they don't have demand at that time.
ReplyDeleteOne idea that could be an opportunity to expand your product would be to invent a cream or something easier for older adults to use to protect themselves from STD’s. Many nursing homes have shown high numbers of STD rates. If you invented a cream or something easily usable for them, they might be more prone to using protection. Or seminars at nursing homes explaining how to use and why to use condoms and where the vending machines are located, etc. Just some ideas for you to ponder! I think your current market and new market ideas are awesome and look forward to seeing more about your company!
ReplyDeleteYour radically different market is interesting to me and it seems you should work on growing with your audience so you can still appeal to them later down the line, while also targeting the young crowd. I know places such as West Palm and Miami have large masses of people who go out, these may also be good places to consider placing the vending machines. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete