Today’s Question
If you produce a product and people buy it but don’t use it (but also do not return it), is that a successful product?
If you produce a product and people buy it but don’t use it (but also do not return it), is that a successful product?
November 24th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
Interesting question. I’d say such a product might enjoy short-term success, but the product (and maybe the company) is doomed.
Early adopters (those customers who purchase new/unproven products) represent a small fraction of the potential customer base. The remaining prospective customers will require some evidence of usefulness, positive reputation, etc.
And the company’s ability to support future development of that product or other products will be limited due to the eventual lack of sales of that existing product.
Any examples you’d like to share?
November 26th, 2006 at 5:44 am
Let’s assume that, in response to Bob, you have the strong form, namely people continue to buy it for years. (Maybe they buy it for the prestige of having it sit on their front yard or their coffee table). I think the answer on whether it’s a successful product depends on YOUR purpose. Did you want to make money or did you want to make the world a better place. You might have achieved the first goal (though you didn’t mention pricing strategy and profit margin, maybe people buy it because it’s cheaper than the competition and you’re losing money) but clearly you haven’t achieved the second goal.
November 26th, 2006 at 10:42 am
Well, they won’t want to upgrade, will they?
December 4th, 2006 at 10:46 pm
No examples, Bob!
You’re all correct. It depends on the goals and hopefully the product owner has goals so they can tell if they’ve got a successful product or not.
Now, if they don’t have goals, something’s definitely wrong and the business is most likely doomed.