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We are not normal people

justinjackson.ca

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Re: We are not normal people

#121

Post by gizzlon »

dpcan wrote: post #57

Also, we sometimes won't ask questions or talk to potential consumers for FEAR that our "great" idea will be negated. The excitement of building something, using new technology, solving a problem (whether it exists or not) is exciting. Then you might start seeing dollar signs, or fame, or respect among peers, etc, in your mind. Nobody wants to INVITE someone to shut down those thoughts or feelings.... but we must. I…

I feel the same way, and I think it's quite normal. It might not be the stated reason for not evaluating an idea, but I think it's often the real reason.

I mean, it's seems so obvious, right? Don't spend lots of time building something unless you're pretty sure there's a market. You can't be "pretty sure there's a marked" unless you actually check. Engineers & programmers are often quite analytical people. Still we somehow miss this obvious conclusion.

I know it, but it's still hard to do it.

Re: We are not normal people

#122

Post by gizzlon »

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #110
mgkimsal wrote: post #105

In that barber example... selling to the barber directly might make the most sense, but better scheduling software would allow people to self-schedule (well, 'better' for end users). I hate trying to coordinate a time with my barber - his schedule is erratic, mine is erratic sometimes, the place doesn't call me back some times, they don't email, etc. What is efficient for them as a business is highly inefficient for…

IME people will do things like book online and then call because they don't trust the booking app. And that's the people that will bother to fill out the form rather than just ring up anyway. If you're relying on an online system too it has to be absolutely solid - which means expense. Or at least more expense than a wall-calendar or a paper diary [book]. It's hard to have an over-view of, say, the next couple of mon…

> It's hard to have an over-view of, say, the next couple of months work with an online system - a big wall-calendar makes things easier to visualis

I don't doubt that you're right, but it should be much easier with a computer:

- It can "think" for itself. For example you could ask it for all available 1 hour slots on a Tuesday or Friday in the next two months, that are also after 3' O clock, and.. and..

- Regarding overview, you should be able to zoom in and out. Think google maps vs. normal maps.

Better yet, upload your google calendar an let it suggest a few appropriate time. Click the one you want. Done.

Edit: does that last one exist? Would be a cool thing to make.. (but then again, does anyone actually want that? :)

Re: We are not normal people

#123

Post by exodust »

There's no reason a creative developer couldn't foresee the barber's predicament without speaking with the barber.

Patiently visualised, devised imagined scenarios. Phone rings, barber says "excuse me" to his client and walks over to the phone. But does he put the comb down first? Perhaps. Barbers have trays handy, but they might walk around, tools in hand. (This is obvious, and doesn't take research to imagine.)

The phone needs to be next to the computer - no screen savers, the scheduling software always on, with clear and large fonts, minimal clutter (generally good interface design anyway). Think "high quality app design", not "looks like Excel".

A beautifully designed interface that would impress the barber if demonstrated. Custom default views and all that.

It's ok to start from the blue sky and work down to the reality instead of working up from "what the barber likes with his paper calendars". Which isn't the wrong way, but could skew the potential. Top down isn't wrong, if you've done your visualising!

Not that research and getting out into the world isn't valuable. (obvious). I'd probably take a look at the book anyway... sounds ok.

Re: We are not normal people

#124

Post by sp332 »

amagumori wrote: post #116
Tehnix wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Really? He answered his parents' question by providing some content from his book that was very relevant to it. He then says that if you're still interested in knowing more, you could buy/get his book. Would you have wanted him to give it for free? Would you rather have he didn't inform him that a book existed that focused on this problem?....

well, this is the point. his intentions are thrown into question. was he simply being helpful, giving advice, and mentioning the title of the book if the parent wanted to get more information? or was he craftily building trust with a helpful comment, enticing the parent into buying his book? who's to say? real gifts are given unconditionally, with no expectation of anything in return. if you can simply give advice wi…

was he craftily building trust with a helpful comment, enticing the parent into buying his book? who's to say?

There's nothing wrong with charging for goods and services. If someone needs something, and I provide it, it's totally ethical to get some money for that. It's still 100% possible to use good judgement and "simply want to better someone else's life" without throwing your morals to the wind.

People can make businesses out of things they are really passionate about, and things that other people really need. It's not necessary to have any line between "you" and "businessperson you". If you want to be a good businessperson, you must first be a good human being.

Re: We are not normal people

#125

Post by gizzlon »

Pxtl wrote: post #18

On the barber anecdote, I think something that a lot of software solutions miss is how fast and flexible paper is. It's ready for you the instant you need it, and you can draw arbitrary shapes quickly and easily in addition to text. We're still feeling out getting this convenience into user's hands. Keyboarded platforms suck for drawing/using standing up, tablets suck for typing. Ultimately, the only thing I could of…

> ..and the only advantage it would have over paper is cloud syncing

You would also get backup (!) and automation. Say for example that you had to cancel all appointments next week, software could do that for you.

Agree with your overall sentiment though, paper has many advantages.

Re: We are not normal people

#126

Post by ludovicurbain »

Well, Justin, I would have sold your barber a wonderful web application that he would have accessed using a touchscreen TV, just as he did his old paper calendar, but with better faster interaction AND a complete merge of his web and non-web appointment management enabling a successful transition to the modern age of nobody phoning in for a haircut. But then, that may just be because I have some rough idea of what can be done with technology.

Re: We are not normal people

#128

Post by neverminder »

dpcan wrote: post #57

Also, we sometimes won't ask questions or talk to potential consumers for FEAR that our "great" idea will be negated. The excitement of building something, using new technology, solving a problem (whether it exists or not) is exciting. Then you might start seeing dollar signs, or fame, or respect among peers, etc, in your mind. Nobody wants to INVITE someone to shut down those thoughts or feelings.... but we must. I…

Well if history taught us anything is that even seemingly craziest ideas can be developed into a big thing. I think it's often down to stubbornness of person (people) behind it.

Re: We are not normal people

#129

Post by mathattack »

dictum wrote: post #16
mathattack wrote: post #6

This is true for many things. In a marketing class long ago the professor asked what % of the US beer industry was imported. The answers were all over the place, with most answers between 30 and 50%. She responded with, "It's less than 10%, and this is why you have to look at the #s rather than intuition even if you're a consumer of the product yourself." Technical complexity and fancy features aren't what helps crac…

> In a marketing class long ago the professor asked what % of the US beer industry was imported. The answers were all over the place, with most answers between 30 and 50%. She responded with, "It's less than 10%, and this is why you have to look at the #s rather than intuition even if you're a consumer of the product yourself." You'd just have to take a look at what brands sell the most in the US to get an approximat…

This was before the craft brew revolution. I think so many folks drank Corona, Heinekin and Molson that they assumed everyone else did. But the power drinkers (multiple pitchers a night) go with Busch, Bud and Miller High Life.

The general point of overconfidence is very true.

Re: We are not normal people

#130

Post by mathattack »

hcarvalhoalves wrote: post #13
mathattack wrote: post #6

This is true for many things. In a marketing class long ago the professor asked what % of the US beer industry was imported. The answers were all over the place, with most answers between 30 and 50%. She responded with, "It's less than 10%, and this is why you have to look at the #s rather than intuition even if you're a consumer of the product yourself." Technical complexity and fancy features aren't what helps crac…

> Technical complexity and fancy features aren't what helps crack the bottom of the market, which is the heart of disruptive innovation. "Because it's cool and I like it" may have worked for Steve Jobs, but he's the exception and not the rule. I don't get that one. One could argue Apple does exactly the opposite of that. Technical complexity is usually hidden and there are less fancy features than competitor's produc…

Right - everything you said is true. I'm highlighting that Jobs as the exception. :-)
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