Question

1. Are the old managers right? A lot of other wearables focus on counting steps or enabling apps. Is that what this group should design, so as to be seen as a legitimate competitor and not confuse customers, or should they design something different to be seen as innovative?
2. Are the people in the room a good proxy for their customers? Are the young managers a better proxy than the older managers?
3. What additional information would be helpful to strengthen a recommendation?
4. How would that information best be obtained?

Answer 1

Q 1:-

If the product were to be to innovative it might take a much longer time to produce and get right. Many bugs and glitches happen with new technology. We have seen it time and time again with exploding phones and defective technology. The main goal right now is to put out a product as fast as possible. So I would say they want to make sure that their product works with other apps. Apps is the main reason we use our phones. Including that to a slick looking, futuristic, watch would be cool. Causing people to turn their heads wanting the product. They must convince the consumers they need this watch over the old, ugly, slow, looking competitors.

Q 2:-

The young managers are better when it comes to technology and what the people want. Technology is more of a young people thing. Whatever product that draws him in reflects on their market base. However, the older managers should know more about the cost of doing business and what marketing strategies should be implemented.

Q 3:-

They more data on if the product would be bought. Is it appealing to wear and is it functional to someone’s every day to day activity? The watch should be something people are attractive to but also make people’s life easier. They must also know who their consumer base is.

Q 4:-

The company must conduct a lot of research through surveys. But all their ideas out there and start narrowing everything down to only a couple. Once they have that down, they need to start conducing focus groups. Maybe even test the market with preorders, or free demos.