Startups focus on solving one problem. They try to find an answer to a specific question and don’t care about rigid procedures that give a most needed framework to big corporations. Startups concentrate on customer experience, and that’s why you should observe them and learn. Today we prepared for your inspiration a list of most innovative start-ups that open eyes to challenges and needs of real customers. Can you still see them beyond your Excel sheet?
1. Customers are busy
We are busier than ever: our calendars are bursting at the seams, and our smartphones vibrate every 10 minutes with reminders. We painfully lack time for logistics of everyday life, so we need to simplify and optimize repetitive task and reduce commuting, calling or making appointments. Many successful startups try to help with that: Instacart, for example, is Uber for grocery shopping. A specialist makes shopping for you and delivers it to your doorstep. Then Glamsquad is there for you when you don’t have time to prepare for the big night out. They send a qualified beautician to your home who takes care of your nails, skin and hair. You book it online. No stress included.
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2. Customers care for common good
The city is space we all share, and it defines the quality of our life. CitySourced gives citizens a tool to take care of it. Users can take snap pictures of awful graffiti or any other issues, and the app reports it to a person responsible at the city council. It also works for schools and other public spaces. That way people can engage in managing and supervising common areas.
3. Customers have conflicting needs
On one hand, we still live in the shadow of crisis and the holy commandment “Thou shalt save”. Consumer minimalism is trending and telling us to spend less while investing in the quality of purchased items so that they will last years. On the other hand, who doesn’t love to spoil oneself once in a while with a little bit of luxury, like that amazing papaya-scented body scrub? Trying to reconcile the two, but there are companies out there ready to help. For example, Birchbox: you subscribe and for a relatively small fee you get a variety of beauty mini products, so you can keep on with novelties, indulge yourself and find ones you like. You kill two birds with one stone: you have your moment of gratification without ruining a family budget.
4. Customers need geniuses
Sometimes an organization faces the problem it can’t solve on its own. Then they can use Kaggle: a network of the best in the world scientists who compete to answer your question. A company uploads its data, and the Kaggle host opens a contest for data scientists who try to think up the best model from the data delivered.
Academic theory meets business, knowledge meets business. Kaggle supports organizations such as Wikipedia, Deloitte or NASA.
5. Customers want their offline experiences back
Internet took human contact away! People don’t talk to each other on the streets now, absorbed by their smartphones! Even neighbors don’t know each other anymore! Nextdoor app came up with a solution: it helps you find people who live in the neighborhood and provides a platform to talk. It also facilitates face to face contacts.
6. Customers want to meet others
Do you know the 6 Degrees of Separation rule? It says that every two objects or people are separated only by 6 steps. It means that you know somebody, she knows somebody… and after 6 contacts there you are, sipping coffee with Michael Fassbender. Have you ever tried it? Test Conspire: a software created by two Stanford University scientists, who discovered a way to put the 6 Degrees of Separation rule in practice. They analyze you email list and tell you which acquaintance to contact to get to the desired person. The method shows 95% accuracy, so you can easily find an expert you wanted to consult, an investor, a coworker, or – as we hope – Michael Fassbender.
7. Customers love to eat cake and have a cake
There are things we know we should do (like eating veggies) and things we prefer to do (like eating delicious stuff). If we can combine the two in one meal, we’re over the moon. Hungryroot stems from that craving. It offers delicious and healthy vegetable-made pasta (20% protein, 70-80% veggies). Now we can go on a diet!
Which one of these ideas you like most? Which one is most inspiring? Let us know in comments!
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