Technology Productization

Does your technology company have a great idea or great technology but somehow the customers and/or investors “just aren’t getting it”…

“How To Take A Promising New Technology
And Turn It Into A Product Everyone Is Raving About”

I know, I know… it’s perplexing.

You think… no, you KNOW you have world-changing technology or product idea in your hands. Now if everyone just saw it the way you do.

And therein lies the rub, as they say (“they” say a lot, don’t they?).

Because the truth is: Other people are NEVER going to “get it like you do”. That may sound harsh but honestly, it’s the Liberating Truth.

Liberating because after all, if other people already got it, they would already have figured out what you have, right?

How To Know If You Have A Real Product
Or Just The Idea Of It In Your Hands…

I know you may be a little self-conscious about it, but really there’s no reason to. I’ll explain why.

The problem you have could well have nothing to do with technology. That’s what you’re best at in your market anyway, right?

It just might be that you’re lacking in any (or all) of the following, essential product characteristics:

• It’s easy to understand what it’s for and what it’s supposed to do for you (so beta users won’t be scared away)
• It has a clearly defined ’story arc’ and a purpose to exist that helps people ’see it’ AND tell other people about it
• It’s easy to see where it fits in within its usage environment (you want to create a ‘pull’ for your product, not push people away from their cozy habits)
• It is easy to use as in, it doesn’t need a manual to understand or to operate it – YOU may find it easy, but if others have any trouble, you’re in trouble!
• Has a real, profitable business model attached to it, well defined and explained so it is easy to understand and get excited about

NOW LISTEN UP, THIS IS IMPORTANT:

If you do NOT all have these… you do NOT have a product, you have the mere PROMISE of a product!

You may have “it” somewhere in the back of your mind… in your napkins from late night meetings… in your team’s collective (un)consciousness…

But none of that is going to help your customers (they get impatient and drop it),

…your investors (they get confused and move on to next in line),

…let alone reporters (they just report as they see it or what they’ve been fed) “get it“!

Ok, now that we can agree there’s a problem, we can go about solving it…

So What Happens If You Go Through
A Real, Value-Boosting Productization Process?

Here’s what typically happens as a result of a bona fide productization process:

Suddenly, rapidly…

Your Product Becomes Attractive!

• Attractive to investors because they can now see the VALUE in everything you’ve worked for
• Attractive to partners because they can now see your product is going places AND it’s easy to see how your product complements their offering
• Attractive to prospective buyers because they can now see exactly what they’re buying (and you enjoy a nice lucrative exit)
• Attractive to journalists because you’ve made it easy for them to write a glowing story about you and your product
• Attractive to users because they now find it easy to work it, use it and like it (and spread the word)!

That’s the bottom line – your product becomes the talk of the town (or the Internet!) – just as you’ve always dreamed about.

(AND IT’S ALL IN THE PERCEPTION!)

Now, your friendly neighborhood business consultant probably wouldn’t know where to begin if you asked for a ‘Productization Project’. They think it’s YOUR job.

That’s why ProfitHacker has come to your rescue with an offering you in all honesty cannot refuse.

(Well you can, but that would be stupid considering how much we already agree, right?)

Okay, let’s get to brass tacks here…

Who is This Productization Process Ideal For
(And Should You Do It)?

If you’re in one of the following categories, the Productizaton Process is indeed made for you:

• About to get investment , or seeking investment in your company (so they see you mean business)
• About to launch a product (to make sure you get heard, and make the impact you want)
• About to relaunch a product (to ensure you win over even more people this time around)
• Starting serious R&D, wanting make sure everything goes to plan (so you need to actually have that product plan)
• In a financially challenging juncture; you want to structure everything as clearly and favorably as possible (so that product maintenance is as easy as possible, on a technological and financial level)
  

In other words: if your company is in a Critical Juncture, you could greatly benefit from Profithacker’s well-honed Productization Process.

So if you’re determined never to hear these words again:

“%&/(&% THAT IS NOT A PRODUCT!!“

… or…

”That’s an interesting concept or promising technology, that’s all…”

… or…

“We’re just not sure about this…“

…Then you’re welcome to take advantage of the unique Productization Process offered by Yours, Truly – ProfitHacker.

The Profithacker’s Technology Productizaton service comes in three distinct flavors:

1. Front Page Overhaul – For most web based companies, the all-important front page of the service is where the battle is either won or lost, in five seconds flat.

What good is a flood of traffic to your site if they all get confused, frustrated or simply don’t get it… and they leave!

This is one of our most popular services of all time – probably because the client gets a full roster of benefits very quickly:

• Improved clarity of offering – right from first glance
• A more appealing front page to present to investors… or anyone you need to impress!
• Higher conversion rates and increased service uptake (right from launch, not some time later)
• Heightened overall user satisfaction (which turns into word of mouth and ultimately determines how you’re perceived!)

The final outcome is a comprehensive written report outlining the required changes and additions – coupled with a narrated video walkthrough of all the findings and improvements.

Expected time to delivery: 7-14 days from start, (ask for availability and schedules).

Investment: 2000 €

2. Early Stage Productization – consisting of a number of online meetings, deep analysis and a report with suggestions

This option is most valuable for relatively new startups and/or companies re-assessing their optimal direction.

We will start with a group assessment, finding the key areas to work on, and finally the private analysis work.

Some of the particulars that may be included in the final assessment:

• List of findings from existing product and/or plans (as agreed upon together)
• List of detailed suggestions to improve overall product definition
• A detailed Product Definition and Guide to help both development and promotion
• Major marketing copy elements that can be re-used in all materials and product itself
• Product launch plan to ensure successful launch of new (or repurposed) product

The actual contents of the final report will depend on the product itself and its intended target market.

The report may also be coupled with multimedia material such as video and audio walkthroughs, as appropriate for the case.

Expected time to delivery: 14 to 21 days from start.

Investment: 3500 €

3. “Full Body” Productization hire is where you will hire my presence for an extended time, as part of an extended team, to lead or participate in a project to productize a particular idea or technology.

Typically these projects take a longer time, perhaps a few weeks to complete, and have a larger team of contributors and stakeholders involved.

My contribution will center on all aspects of Productization, and I will interact with all of the members of the team, reporting to team management or their supervisor, as agreed upon.

Expected time to delivery: 30 to 45 days from start.

Investment: 9700 €

For all of the above services, begin by sending a free-form email explaining your situation to: juho (at) profithacker.com.

We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

PS. I stumbled upon productization early on, actually my very first ‘real job’ in the nineties was as part of a productization team for an ERP software suite. Ever since, I’ve been involved in productizing technologies for mobile commerce, payment systems, various web services, and even construction technology. If you’re unsure your particular technology or market is suitable for this Productization Process (it most likely is), just shoot an email to me: juho (at) profithacker.com and I’ll give you a free evaluation to determine what could be done for you. Don’t be a stranger!