Tag: Marketing

Engagement App in a Red Ocean: The Twists & Turns Behind the Scenes of Favorsense

Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash

This is the real-life story of my entrepreneurial journey.

Embarking on the journey to create our second IoT product, Favorsense, aimed at simplifying engagement between citizens and authorities, we learned quite a bit. The purpose of this app was to provide a platform for users, like students or residents, to report issues to relevant authorities, effectively acting as “sensors” in their communities.

We stumbled, we fell, we learned. Here’s a human recap of the tough spots we navigated through:

Copycat Alert!

In a world brimming with software applications, it’s easy for IT companies to mirror what we built with Favorsense, primarily since it doesn’t rely on bespoke IoT devices.

SaaS Transition Woes

Integrating our solution into the ingrained daily processes of local councils was no small feat. These councils often cling to their legacy systems, necessitating a flexible SaaS solution willing to bend and integrate without a fuss.

Navigating Red Oceans

With an array of similar, albeit not identical, solutions floating around, convincing customers to jump ship and embrace the new was an uphill battle.

Procurement Maze

.Venturing into smart city solutions introduces one to a tangled web of procurement processes, stakeholders, and budget constraints, making introducing a new product a complex dance.

Stand-Alone Dilemma

A solution solely focusing on citizen engagement doesn’t necessarily woo in tender or procurement processes; it often needs to be part of a larger project rollout to shine truly.

Floodgate Fears

Organizations often need to be more open to creating open channels for complaints and reports. No one wants to unleash a torrent of negativity, yet there’s a fine line between losing control and nipping potential PR disasters in the bud.

Legacy System Headaches

Old IT systems are notoriously stubborn and resistant to integration with newer, shinier solutions. The transition often demands substantial upgrades and a hefty financial investment.

Engagement Enthusiasm Ebb

Launching an app is one thing; maintaining user interest and engagement is another. Many similar apps have silently vanished after a short stint in the spotlight.

In essence, unlike our experience with Raqib, the first IoT solution, the challenges presented by Favorsense were different.

It was less about technical hiccups and more about tuning into user needs and smoothly integrating into existing workflows.

Favorsense was an easier sell when customers lacked a complaint or trouble ticket system. Each obstacle taught us something valuable: refining our approach and product with every step.

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You can also follow my Medium Publications Aspiring Writer’s Journey, Influencer’s Journey, Startup Survival Journey, and IoT World.

Crafting Dscover: Our Fourth IoT Venture

Photo by Alvaro Reyes on Unsplash

The Backstory

Here’s how our fourth IoT product, Dscover, came to life. After the commercial launch of our first IoT product, Raqib, in 2018, feedback began pouring in, leading us to a crucial decision: Should we refine Raqib or innovate anew?

At the same time, work was underway on Favorsense and the Favoriot IoT platform — our second and third products, respectively. Trusting our instincts, we embarked on developing Dscover.

Addressing a Need

With Raqib, designed as a unique tracking solution sans Bluetooth smartwatch and smartphone, we noted users weren’t interested in the vital health signs monitoring feature.

This made us reevaluate: Which market needed tracking, and why was individual monitoring necessary?

It turned out that tracking was pivotal for safety during travel, offering freedom while ensuring connection and safety for individual travelers and their groups.

Market Realities

Our initial focus was on the thriving pre-2020 Travel and Tourism market.

However, as the sector took a hit during the pandemic with restrictions imposed worldwide, we tactically shifted our target, repurposing Dscover as a family and friends app.

Opting for a Mobile Solution

A mobile application was chosen for Dscover for its cost-effectiveness — utilizing the user’s device and GPS — and ease of deployment and management through online app stores.

Overcoming Go-to-Market Challenges

Navigating through the B2C model was challenging.

With social media as our primary outreach tool, understanding user demographics was crucial for conducting targeted promotions.

An initial naming challenge occurred with “D’scover,” prompting a name change to “Dscover” for easier user search and app store navigation.

While our initial approach was B2B, reaching out to travel agencies and the government, the pandemic-induced downturn in travel necessitated a market segment expansion, including a focus on monitoring quarantined patients — a solution that, unfortunately, didn’t receive official endorsement for unknown reasons.

Time for Reflection

We pondered: Did we allocate sufficient resources to marketing and sales before leaping into developing another product?

Creating a new product is undoubtedly a demanding journey, with each of our four IoT products showcasing distinct strengths and weaknesses.

Lessons Learned

The Importance of Adaptability

Reflecting on Dscover’s development, the crucial lessons learned revolve around market dynamics understanding and adaptability.

The necessity to pivot from a travel-centric app to one for family and friends was a crucial decision in response to the global changes in 2020.

Valuing Feedback

Feedback is invaluable.

The responses and insights from our users significantly influenced our product development trajectory, emphasizing the importance of aligning product features closely with user needs and expectations.

Mindful Naming

Product naming requires careful consideration for ease of search and brand recall.

The name change to Dscover was not just a whimsical decision but a strategic one to ensure greater visibility and ease of access for potential users on various platforms.

Continuous Evaluation

Before diving into a new product, conducting a thorough evaluation of the current product’s market performance is crucial.

Such evaluations and robust marketing and sales strategies form the foundation for successful product development.

Forward-Looking Insights

Armed with these lessons, we’re better prepared for future ventures.

These insights will guide us in crafting products that meet market demands and deliver value to users, ensuring a smoother and more successful journey in the intricate world of IoT product development.

Each lesson learned lights up the path ahead, helping us navigate away from potential mistakes and toward sustainable success.

Remember to Subscribe to receive email updates on every post I publish.

You can also follow my Medium Publications Aspiring Writer’s Journey, Influencer’s Journey, Startup Survival Journey, and IoT World.

How an IoT Startup Overcome the Hardships and Monetise Their Business

Photo by Mantas Hesthaven on Unsplash

In the world of business transformation, there’s a new term on the rise: IoTising, a concept introduced by FAVORIOT. IoTising involves the process of using IoT technology to revamp organizational operations and business strategies.

While this journey towards digital transformation may not happen overnight, it starts with visionary leaders who can champion these initiatives. However, organizations with deep-rooted traditions may encounter internal challenges due to differing cultures and eras. It’s important to note that technology itself is not the primary hurdle; instead, meticulous planning from the outset is crucial to avoid wastage and to gain widespread support.

Let’s dive deeper into this journey through an insightful interview with Mazlan Abbas, the driving force behind FAVORIOT:

1. Embracing Change as a Dynamic Leader

Question: What, according to you, makes one a dynamic leader? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?

Answer: In today’s era of constant technological and business upheaval, dynamic leadership requires agility in responding to evolving landscapes. A dynamic leader is open to unlearning and relearning new things to stay relevant.

2. The Birth of FAVORIOT and Lessons Learned

Question: What led to the formation of FAVORIOT? What role do you play in the day-to-day proceedings of the company?

Answer: FAVORIOT’s inception in 2017 was inspired by a trip to Silicon Valley in 2016, where the potential for visionary ideas became evident. Initially, we aimed to monitor Senior Citizens using IoT wearable devices and mobile apps. Looking back, we realized our strengths lay in the IoT platform we built. We could have tapped into the education sector earlier before expanding to business and corporate customers.

3. Overcoming Challenges and Ensuring Client Satisfaction

Question: What has the journey been like for Mazlan Abbas over the years? Looking back, what would you have done differently when starting?

Answer: Often, technology isn’t the main obstacle; it’s convincing people of how IoT can transform their businesses. FAVORIOT, as an early IoT Startup, faced the challenge of accommodating diverse customer needs. We should have targeted the education sector sooner before moving up the value chain. It’s essential to educate customers through training and webinars, align with their business goals, integrate with legacy systems, and focus on data for new revenue streams, cost savings, and better insights.

4. Advice for Aspiring Leaders and Entrepreneurs

Question: What would be your advice for young and aspiring leaders or entrepreneurs?

Answer:

1. Test your ideas early.

2. Seek feedback on your product and iterate until you find product-market fit.

3. Don’t be discouraged if your original ideas don’t succeed initially.

5. The Roadblock and Learning Opportunity

Question: What has been the biggest roadblock during your journey? What has been your most significant learning?

Answer: The initial challenge was gaining the trust of the first few customers. What we perceived about our product might differ from the customer’s perspective. The most valuable lesson was achieving product-market fit as quickly as possible.

6. FAVORIOT’s Vision for the Future

Question: Moving forward, what does the future look like for you and FAVORIOT?

Answer: FAVORIOT’s IoT platform has expanded from fewer than three countries in 2017 to 115 countries in 2021. IoT’s rapid growth is fueled by awareness and the convergence of various technologies. FAVORIOT aims to excel by becoming the go-to IoT platform for businesses worldwide, fostering IoTization in all sectors.

In this journey of IoTizing business, we learn that dynamic leadership, adaptability, early education, and understanding customer needs are essential. Additionally, embracing change and iterating on ideas are keys to success. FAVORIOT’s journey showcases how perseverance, innovation, and a commitment to evolving with technology can lead to remarkable growth and impact in the world of IoT.