Entries Tagged 'Planning' ↓

Let’s take a quick look at Twitter… For the large userbase, twitter is a sort of away message for your life.  That’s how I often use Twitter.  And when you think about away messages, what program do you associate it to first?  AOL Instant Messenger.  AOL could have included new products alongside instant messaging to make use of it’s large, dedicated userbase.  AOL could still can create a twitter competitor that’s connected to your aim profile. I would love it if there was an AIM version of twitter where I could simply leave an away message on the aim program or on a website and where people could reply back to me (and that would be visible to all).  It’s a simple, more connected network of friends and friends of friends.  Perhaps the main dillema is the user’s privacy, but with the right measures and hype they could have really brought some more respect to the company’s strategy side.  AOL should launch it as a friendfeed, twitter, tumblr competitor where it’s easy to share anything or communicate anything to friends.  I think that’s why a twitter competitor is still viable - much of the true instant messaging users are untapped.  All AOL needs is a bunch of buzz and a simple sign in to activate your own AOL on-the-go microblogging service that serves as an away message to all your friends and their friends.  They’ll never do it though, even after reading this article.  AOL has become too corporate to even thinking about banking on this new frontier.  Their closemindedness towards the startup world (and even the internet itself) has blinded it from new products that the current generation would actually use.  Besides a disgusting interface and changes in beloved features, what did Triton offer over the previous version of AIM?  Even if they can garner the innovation to produce this product, their corporate way of doing things will interfere with correct implementation.  Lot’s of research must be done by AOL to understand the current tech climate and make use of it.  AOL hasn’t even launched a true update to AIM Express!  An online app that rivals Meebo could have easily conquered the web-based messaging world.  AOL, why so blind?  And where’s the web-based AIM application for my iPhone?  Has AOL given up?  Instead of trying to heavily monetize on it’s current sources of revenue, AOL should really focus on the power and dedication of its users.  They should really put some money into market analysis and launch some new and innovative products.  They could soar, but AOL should definitely not utilize their current decision makers and should instead hire a firm to give them strategy lessons.  Whatever AOL is doing now is not working.  With the advent of Facebook and text messaging, more of my friends are giving up on AIM for communication.  Create Hype, launch a decent product with some new thinkers and we could all have a nifty little new tool.  The functionality must all be there, as well as a more refined look not typically reminiscent of AOL.

Ahh, it saddens me that it will probably never happen.  I’ve built a fond love (and reputation) with my aim screename.

Oh and if AOL ever creates a twitter competitor, you know where it came from!

1) Write down your idea - Write down everything about your idea. I mean everything. Include the most minute details about each and every single feature of your idea. I don’t care if its on a napkin or on Word, do it!

2) Tell your friends - Ask them for an objective opinion. Take a note of everything they say. Many of your friends will probably tell you that your idea isn’t viable or that they just don’t see it happening - don’t let that bother you so much. Instead, look at the core reasons why they don’t think it’ll work… Ask them WHY and make sure they give you an answer! I’m actually in the process of setting up a project manager, called ProjectPier, on one of my domains that I’ll use to get my friends to comment on my ideas anonymously. It keeps me in check and makes sure I don’t get too ahead of myself because sometimes that happens too. Make sure you ask for their insight too, what they’d like to see in it - maybe you forgot something.

3) Research - Conduct intensive research on the area that you’re focusing on. There’s sure to be something out there with some sort of likeness to your idea. Research your target, why they need your product/service and how it will help them. Place a heavy focus on what’s already out there, and how your idea is different. Check this site out for a more in depth writeup on conducting research for your business idea.

4) Create a business plan - If you’re still captivated about your idea after telling your friends about it, create a simple business plan. This is basically taking everything you’ve written and organizing it clear categories and headings.

5) Design a Mockup - If its an internet startup, create a mockup of how the site will be laid out using Photoshop or even something basic like paint. Include all the different pages and functionality that you want your website to have. Later, this can be used to show the designer exactly what your website is all about as it gives them a complete grasp of its layout, functions and design. Here’s another great resource that explains how to create an excellent Photoshop mockup of your website idea.