OPPORTUNITY: The unmet need is the fear of walking alone at
night, especially as a female. This opportunity can be exploited because it is
a common occurrence amongst a specific demographic. The fear of being
assaulted, robbed, or sexually abused is fervent amongst potential victims and
I believe the opportunity to fulfill this unmet need is present and should be
exploited. In the past, many apps have been created as a defense mechanism for
this fear. Listed are some of the following apps:
1.
React Mobile: an application which features a “Follow
Me” and “Help Me” button so friends and family can be alerted when a victim may
be in a dangerous situation
2.
Noonlight: an application that with the touch of
a button provides a direct line to a qualified dispatcher who can help you
contact the police. It works through a multitude of devices, such as speaker
and other electronics
3.
Life360: an application which features an
tracking system allowing users to know where their loved ones are at any given
time.
Many of these opportunities do not satisfy the unmet need. They
may provide temporary remedies to dangerous situations, but sometimes they may
be ineffective in extremely dire situations.
PRODUCT/SERVICE: A program or workshop (could eventually
develop into a membership depending on how big the customer base becomes) that
promotes self-defense tips and techniques while also empowering victims and
people who can protect them. This service could be open to anyone and would
follow a similar route as the RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) program, but would
include active workshops along with mini lectures. The more times one attends
this workshop, the more confident they will feel about being alone and
vulnerable in another precarious situation. After one attends workshop a set
number of times, they receive a certification. This reward will also hopefully
disable that imminent fear they once had.
Hey Roksolana,
ReplyDeleteI think your solution means well but I do think it is a bit idealistic. I have walked the streets of Istanbul at night and have gotten a knife pulled on me and got robbed. I have been training in boxing and mma for almost 6 years now and I remember then that I could not use anything I learned out of shock. Just using your common sense and having a buddy seems like a better idea to me. Should you be alone and are afraid, I would recommend Uber or waiting in a safe location for your friend to arrive.
Hi Roksolana,
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you are on the right track with your proposed product and their purpose. It targets your opportunity well, but I think with more workshopping the proposed apps could possibly come together in different facets to create one that can help to minimize the fear of walking alone at night. Perhaps one feature I feel could be really effective for the app could be a button tracking system that a walker starts then stops once reaching their destination and should a walker not stop the button after a certain amount of time, an emergency contact or 911 could be alerted. This kind of combines a few of your ideas which I think could maximize it's potential.