The $20 Starbucks Test
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The $20 Starbucks Test
1–10 of 68 posts
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#2While well intentioned, I sorta think this idea sucks. Maybe it's just me, but random strangers with business ideas approaching me in public would immediately lead me to think "Amway scam" or "clueless businessperson".
I wonder what sorts of people would self-select themselves into accepting this offer? Also, most people who have tried to launch a product know that random input from people who are NOT your target users tends to suck.
Now, if I had an idea that seemed specifically geared towards the typical Starbucks|McDonalds|Home Depot shopper (or HIGHLY consumer oriented), then I might try this approach.
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#3While well intentioned, I sorta think this idea sucks. Maybe it's just me, but random strangers with business ideas approaching me in public would immediately lead me to think "Amway scam" or "clueless businessperson". I wonder what sorts of people would self-select themselves into accepting this offer? Also, most people who have tried to launch a product know that random input from people who are NOT your target use…
It seems to me that the point is to avoid missing a glaringly obvious problem with a project that, while you may be blind to, a random stranger may not.
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#4While well intentioned, I sorta think this idea sucks. Maybe it's just me, but random strangers with business ideas approaching me in public would immediately lead me to think "Amway scam" or "clueless businessperson". I wonder what sorts of people would self-select themselves into accepting this offer? Also, most people who have tried to launch a product know that random input from people who are NOT your target use…
It seems to me that the point is to avoid missing a glaringly obvious problem with a project that, while you may be blind to, a random stranger may not.
The other point is to test your idea on someone who is not in love with your own idea. It can be easy to be in love with your idea so much that you discount obvious pitfalls. And like the article mentions, this technique would only work with a consumer oriented product.
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#5It's always great to get feedback, but if a random stranger is able to point out flaws in your business plan or product that you weren't able to uncover through your own thinking, planning, and discussions with friends, partners, etc. Then I'd say you haven't done your homework.
Some people think your friends will just agree with you so they don't hurt your feelings, but in my experience that is not the case. But be sure to ask them to play devils advocate. If all you're getting is positive feedback, tell them that you don't want to hear about what is great about the idea, that you know. Ask specifically why they think it won't work.
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#6I think I'd be uncomfortable with this not because of approaching random strangers but rather approaching them with false pretenses. You're essentially fooling people into listening to your ill-formed business plan by lying to their face about non-existant siblings in non-existant danger. Whatever happened to being honest with people?
"Hi. Can I buy you a cup of coffee in exchange for some feedback? Five minutes is all I want."
People will either blow you off as a scummy salesman or listen to you. You can sleep well at night with the knowledge that you didn't make someone late to work by toying with their emotions.
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#7I call this "a hobo technique." Imply you have a serious situation in that your worried about your "brother," where I would initially think, "cancer? do you want to use my cellphone?, then use my sympathy to segue into "see, he's got this business idea..."
It's extremely rare that a stranger has a need for more than 15 seconds of focussed conversation, and abusing this rarity I would think is quite rude.
Plus, you're lying.
I would give the manipulative sociopath his dollar for the coffee and walk away.
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#8It sounds like an okay idea other than the lying about worrying about your brother.
I would much rather a person be honest than take up my time while keeping up a charade about a crazy brother, if someone did this I would probably just tell them to talk to their brother rather than me.
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#9Unable to come up with a way to vet your idea without wasting a stranger's time under false pretenses?
Re: The $20 Starbucks Test
#10It sounds like an okay idea other than the lying about worrying about your brother. I would much rather a person be honest than take up my time while keeping up a charade about a crazy brother, if someone did this I would probably just tell them to talk to their brother rather than me.
The point about using the "brother" is to provide the distance required to make the stranger feel like they can give truly honest feedback without hurting your feelings.