Technology Productization

Sick of your technology company having a great ideas 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 Hotly Anticipated Product
Everyone Is Suddenly 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 In
Your Hands Or Just The Mere Idea Of It..

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 Previously Ho-Hum Product
Suddenly Becomes Attractive!

• Attractive to investors because they can now see the VALUE in everything you’ve worked towards
• 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 as a responsible product owner.

(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 to ‘hang your hat’ on)
• 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 (and let’s face it, startups are always at a critical juncture or getting close to the next one), you could greatly benefit from ProfitHacker’s time-tested, battle proven 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 uniquely effective Productization Process that consistently creates winners.

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 € (direct bank transfer or PayPal accepted)

(For a quick introduction to this critical improvement process, peek in here)

2. Early Stage Productization – consisting of a number of full-contact online meetings, deep analysis, culminating with a full report with detailed suggestions for immediate action.

This option is most valuable for relatively new startups and/or companies re-assessing their optimal direction for the immediate future, in order to maximize potential for sales and/or investment.

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

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 and attractiveness
• A detailed Product Definition and Guide to help both development and marketing promotions
• Major marketing copy elements that can be re-used in all materials and the product itself
• Product launch plan to ensure successful launch of new (or repurposed) product!

(The product launch plan alone is typically the component that brings back the investment many times over. Why do you think some people get the attention and others fade away?!)

The actual contents of the final report will depend on the product itself and its intended target market, but in every case guaranteed to cover all areas required for rapid advancement.

The final report may also include multimedia material such as video and audio walkthroughs, as appropriate for the case. You may also re-use these presentations to present the newly positioned product to investors, customers and partners.

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

Investment: 3500 € (half at start, half on delivery – direct bank transfer or PayPal accepted)

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, product scheme 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 € (half at start, half on delivery – direct bank transfer or PayPal accepted)

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

We’ll get back to you with scheduling and other details within 24 to 48 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!