Week 2: Customer Discovery
Every thriving company pivots at some point in its lifespan. If that company is a startup, pivoting may be the name of the game until it starts to get traction, which could then mean that the company has not only become successful in identifying a problem, but has a potential solution to it.
I launched the Beta version of Alcye last year, as a female-focused platform. It was based on B2C — Business To Consumer model. I wanted to help the female workforce have easier access to advice and mentoring. For starters, the B2C model felt like I was recruiting. It was strenuous, and not much traction.
So we did more market research at the beginning of this year, and the results showed that it would not only be beneficial to the business, but it could expand our reach to serving the rest of the population as well. Simplistically phrased, the results indicated that females do better with high-touch scenarios, and virtual give-and-take model of Alcye helps males feel more comfortable in doing the ask. So, we opened up the platform to all — Females, Males, Non-Binary, making it truly inclusive.
In the meantime, we have been approached by a few organizations with existing memberships looking for a virtual place of collaboration to offer their members. Alcye with its built-in multi-modal functionality and safety precautions is the perfect place for that. So, now we are pivoting our emphasis from B2C to B2B, although the consumer facing option is still open, and will automatically grow as an offshoot. There is enormous potential for impact and outreach in this.
And as part of refining our path, we got to meet many mentors this week. Our one-on-one conversations have helped set up a starting point to follow up.
We also got to present to the rest of the cohort,
- who our customer is
- who’s paying
- who we are serving
- who the beneficiary is
Getting feedback from the rest of the cohort is very helpful — its like friends helping you sort out your thoughts, as you talk aloud. :D
I am looking forward to forming new relationships and brainstorming ways to help engage people.
Do reach out if you belong to one of the following categories, or know people who belong to these categories— we just want start a dialog, and understand needs.
- Membership groups with paying members — national & international
- Companies that are looking to build mentoring hubs within their companies
- University Student Organizations and Alumni Leaders looking to increase the reach and engagement of students and alumni
Until next week!
Lav
