Opportunities !

Laura Mena

May 25^th, 2018

1. An opportunity exists within our own apple devices. There is no need for adapters if companies like apple would just add in ports but because of this, the opportunity of selling adapters grows exponentially. This is an opportunity for improvement because I believe apple can make IPhone and MacBook’s easier to use without having to have the customer spend money but don’t so in the end this problem needed to be resolved using adapters. 

2. The unmet need is IPhones and MacBook’s without adapters. Adapters are in no way actually needed but yet companies like apple make phones that require it in order to be satisfied. This need is focused on IPhone 7,8, and 10 customers along with any MacBook’s. This is a recent need as it hasn’t existed forever but it has been an issue starting with the first MacBook. The need I would say is about 43.5% according to statistics (Statista, 2018). 

Interview 1: 

3. A college student that owns an IPhone 8 plus with a MacBook Pro. She is passionate about music and watching TV. 

4. 

·     Would you say the need is high for adapters? 

Yes, I would say the need is high because many of the things we use on a day to day basis has a lot to do with adapters. 

·     Without the adapter you use for your IPhone 8, what would you do to solve the problem? 

When I’m without the adapter, I can’t listen to music because there’s now no port to plug in my headphones to. I would have to get Bluetooth headphones which are expensive. 

·     Would you say that Apple made these devices this way in order to make more money?

I definitely think that Apple gets more sales selling adapters than ever before. Since people want the latest IPhone, they have to conform with the adapters and buy them. 

·     When did you first notice that the need of having the adapter existed?

I first noticed when I was on a bus going home and I checked everywhere for my headphone adapter and didn’t find it. I realized that I wasn’t going to be able to listen to music for 6 hours straight. 

·     Knowing now that the adapter is a big deal, would still keep buying Apple products?

I definitely will just because there are so many things I love about Apple but it doesn’t mean that I’m not frustrated with this situation. 

5. The thing I found very interesting about this interview is that the customer still would buy Apple products even though you have to spend more on getting extra supplies. I learned that Apple took a risk but many customers are willing to keep buying their products. Other smaller companies would have maybe suffered because they are not willing to pay more. 

Interview #2:

3. A middle aged woman who has a MacBook pro. She doesn’t know much about technology so having this computer makes it difficult to do everything she wants to do. 

4. 

·     What type of troubles are you having with your computer?

I need an adapter for everything which is insane. I need it for the HDMI cable, for headphones, for USB’s and etc. 

·     Why did you choose this computer?

I bought this computer because everyone told me that this was the best of the best. I ended up spending over three thousand dollars in all the things I had to buy for it. 

·     Do you regret this decision?

I do because if someone would have mentioned this whole situation to me before, I would have done more of my research when it came to buying Apple products. 

·     How do you think Apple should approach this problem?

I think Apple should start making devices for accessible and cheaper for customers especially on things like adapters, chargers, headphones. Those are very expensive. 

5. From this interview, I concluded that people often buy things without doing proper research about their unmet needs with the products they buy. Apple computers are considered the best but they require many extra things that need to be bought so it would be cheaper to go with another brand that has similar qualities but doesn’t require spending more money on. 

Interview #3:

3. A 40 year old man who produces music and edits videos on MacBook computers. He does this for a living and says that MacBook’s are vital to his career. 

4. 

·     Would you trade your MacBook computer for any other computer?

I would not because it’s a very essential part of my job. I did need to buy an HDMI cable, and many adapters for job purposes. 

·     Would you say that you spent more than you thought you were going to spend?

Definitely. I thought I would just have to spend on the computer but I ended up having to pay for apple care, adapters, and headphones. 

·     Would you buy this product again even though you’d know you have to spend more money?

Yes, because the Apple system is better for editing my pictures, videos, and music so despite the cost it is worth it. 

5. Some people really need the computers and phones for other reasons so they don’t mind spending the extra money for Apple products. This is the part that lowers the percentage for original opportunity. 

7. My original opportunity belief did go down because I realized that many people will still stick to buying these products no matter how much extra they have to buy for extra products. I believe that 10% or less of my original opportunity is there just because after interviewing I realized that people will buy the product regardless. I think customer feedback is essential to entrepreneurs because this helps them adapt to finding opportunities.