Giving a little extra, any way we can.
Fresh into a product launch that our community had been anticipating for years, the market shifted. Minor for some, monumental for others, but quickly impacting all industries worldwide.
While in development, Token had been careful to get to know our community of supporters and our market. We looked at our growing group of advocates as part of our team. We stayed in touch with them and regularly gathered input on our path to launch.
When COVID-19 hit Europe, we watched people move into isolation. We began receiving carefully worded out of office messages and apologies for delays in response to our communications. As the pandemic hit NYC and the US West Coast, two of our strongest markets, we began hearing a clear message from customers and supporters. They were uncertain about the future. They wanted to stay safe. They missed their lifestyle and wanted something to look forward to. We heard several stories of business travel; hearing a jet overhead and yearning for that life back; wondering if it would ever be easy to jump on a plane for an overseas conference again. More striking was that we began receiving a tide of well wishes. Amidst their own concerns, we had a cheering squad that understood how close Token was to the finish line, and wanted us to know that they were still in our corner, wishing us well.
Token offers safety, as a secure and contactless method for payment, transit, and building access. That has always been core to the foundation of the product. As we reflected on the messages from our customers, we wanted to give more. Something a little extra to look forward to for some, for others, a way to move back into their world with more confidence when the time comes.
Our product strategy was already set and there were a dozen reasons, from supply chain to fulfillment, to hit the market with only one finish, Brushed Silver. We also knew there was excitement around our second finish offering, Black Carbon, and that some of our supporters were waiting anxiously for it. In an effort to surprise our supporters with something a little extra, we started to consider ways to bring that timeline in. We’re proud to say that, this past week, months ahead of schedule, we made Black Carbon available.
We made this decision as a signal of acknowledgement and support of our customers.
We hear you, we want you to be safe, and want you to have something to look forward to.
I encourage everyone offering a product to consider what you can provide that’s a little extra, a little special. We could all use something to look forward to.
Sign up for the Token newsletter to get exclusive product updates and the biggest news you missed in Identity, Security, and NFC.
Want to continue a conversation about product development at Token? Connect with Sheila on LinkedIn.
