Interviewing Customers No. 1

This week I interviewed 5 different people about a topic generally related to an opportunity that I believe exists. I believe there is a problem concerning charging cords for technological devices, whether it be a cell phone, computer, or iPod. Charging cords have proven to not withstand the test of time; they fray and break; they lose their integrity and they have to be held at all sorts of crazy angles just so I can charge my phone. Something must be done regarding the durability of chargers, and their tangling tendencies. Everyone faces this problem, especially college kids. A broken charging cord can really kill your chances of studying.

Here are the questions I asked:

1. Are you an Apple product user? 

2. Do you have a hard time keeping all your cords from getting tangled?

3. What has been your experience in terms of the charging cord's durability? Does it last over time or does it break?

4. Is there anything you wish you could change about your charging cord? 

By interviewing, I realized new aspects that I could incorporate into new charging cords. Customers suggested ideas like a universal cord for all of a company's products, or even giving cords slinky like qualities so they are easier to maintain. I had never thought that interviewing customers could expand your opportunities and potential ideas. My opportunity idea has room for change, but with customers' feedback, I know that I can alter my product to suit consumer needs. 

Interviewing people also made me realize that some people can be more uncomfortable but some people are very comfortable. For example, in the 5th interview posted, the girl I interviewed was very comfortable laughing in front of the camera and she was even joking with me and saying ''Cut! Cut! This is embarrassing." It was overall an interesting experience. 

Here I have attached the 5 videos of people I interviewed: 

 

Week 4 Reading Reflection

Week 4 Reading Reflection

1) What was the biggest surprise for you in the reading? In other words, what did you read that stood out the most as different from your expectations? 

I thought it was surprising that the author was able to use the left and right hemisphere of the brain individually to come up with business solutions and then combine them. I think it's a really creative way to come up with solutions and use the brain to its full potential. 

2) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

I understood the phases of the critical thinking process that they explained in the books, but I was slightly confused by the diagram given in the novel. 

3) If you were able to ask two questions to the author, what would you ask? Why?

1. What is the best way to practice transitioning from the appositional relationship perspective to the functional perspective analysis?
2. What is the best way for people to realize which arena of creativity they think in, and the best way to build their creative thinking process to its full potential? 

4) Was there anything you think the author was wrong about? Where do you disagree with what she or he said? How?

I really liked this section and how it talked about the creative process. I don't disagree with any of the author's arguments. 

Top 5 World Problems

Here is the list of what I consider to be the Top 5 Most Serious World Problems:

1. The shortage of water
2. Air pollution/Depletion of the Ozone layer
3. Water pollution
4. Overpopulation
5. Proliferation of nuclear weapons

I consider the shortage of water to be the biggest problem the world is facing. With an ever growing human population, water is extremely important--as humans can only survive a maximum of 4 days without water. To ensure that human and animal life can continue on Earth, we need to reallocate our resources and use newer, more coefficient resources to preserve our clean water on Earth. Problems #2 and #3 will just worsen the quality of life on Earth if we do not do something to assuage them. Overpopulation simply puts a larger strain on the first 3 problems listed, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons puts stress on the future of human life, as well. 

Here is the list of what I consider to be the Top 5 Most Implementable Solutions:

1. Recycle

2. Make the transition to using more eco-efficient resources

3. Use technology and resources to spread education to areas of poverty

4. Use technology and resources to make clean water more accessible 

5. Reduce human impact

I listed recycling as the most easily implemented solution because recycling has already become a big part of our daily routine, and over time, recycling will become more and more beneficial. We have already begun the transition to more eco-efficient resources and just like recycling, it will become easier and more beneficial over time. We have ample technology and if we are able to use our technological resources to their full potential (and distribute them to where they are most needed) I believe that these resources can be used for solutions #3 and #4. Solution #5 sounds very vague and difficult to attain, but if we work towards the other solutions, reducing the human imprint will come with time.