Classmates – Crossing

Provide clarification to classmates question about Crossing the Chasm Part 2.

Classmate 1 – Jessica
I understand that there are four parts to the whole product however I am having trouble wrapping my mind around and identifying specific options that this can be in the later stages. I would like to see if others have the same thinking that I do.

1. Generic Product: Base product such as cell phone or car

2. Expected Product: the gas needed for the base car or the cell phone service for that phone you just bought

3. Augmented Product: Premium features or add on but what would be an example here?

4. Potential Product: Visions of the product down the road from the initial buying such as new apps produced for the phone or what for the car example?

I think the reason I initially struggled with this is because I tried to think of this in terms of my own photography business but wouldn’t this be a little different? I don’t necessarily produce a product that falls into these four areas do I?

I also struggled with the first step of crossing the chasm labeled understand the technology adoption lifecycle. Can anyone give clarity on this part?

Thanks!

Classmate 2 Rachael

The case study “About Your Company” says “Conveyance has landed some sizable accounts, clients who vary in industry, but all share a high enthusiasm for your product.” My question would be what industries are currently involved with Conveyance in purchasing and utilizing these self driving cars? I would like to know what industries they are to be able to compare the need within each of these industries and see which one has the biggest problem that Conveyance could solve for them, so that we could choose the right segment to be able to cross the chasm. Having a specific problem for one segment that the company can focus on, and that usually no one else has been able to solve for them, is what can help the product gain traction, positive word of mouth, and loyalty from customers.

Another question I would have is what types of work Conveyance is putting into the whole product. If they just sell the software at the moment, that means that they need to be able to have cars that are built to specifications that will allow the software to properly drive the cars automatically. Has Conveyance already put strategic alliances into place to partner with car manufacturers and possibly work with one in particular so that the partnership can be strategically advantageous to both of them?

Another question would be the amount of dedication, time, and money that Conveyance has put into the technical support side of the whole product. Obviously many “normal” (aka non-techie people like there are in Gallium Glen) have probably never seen a self-driving car with their own eyes, much less learned how to make one function. If they are trying to expand outside of the area that is fully technologically oriented, they need to make sure that the support is there to teach the pragmatists how to use technology that they are not familiar with.

Classmate 3 Lori

Conveyance, in selling software and hardware for SDV’s, seems to have the financial backing it needs and is located in an area where apparently high-tech products are embraced. The question for me would be exactly who the niche market should be? Not everyone accepts the high tech as well as others. Therefore, I would think one of the demographics would be a younger age group that is comfortable with the safety of the technology, can operate the technology, and are located in an area where enough people would readily adapt the technology without the SDV’s being an interference. For example, if some SDV’s are being driven at constant speeds and actual people are also still driving at different speeds, will they be more of a nuisance or safety issue? Will they be a threat for Uber, Lyft, etc.? Will people trust the technology enough to cross the chasm into the mainstream market? Will they be able to afford it? Can this technology help us obtain other segments? It will be interesting to see what our options will be in the simulation.