7A - Testing the Hypothesis, Part 1

Opportunity: There are not enough charging platforms in UF libraries, requiring students to bring their own chargers and find an outlet. This reveals an opportunity for libraries to have wireless chargers at each table, instead of outlets.

The who: Marston, Library West, Newell, and dorm study rooms
The what: Adding wireless charging pads on every table that can charge all types of phones and computers.
The why: Students always forget to bring their phone and computer chargers to the library and are forced to go home early before they finish studying. If they did bring their chargers, they then would have to move seats (if there are any) to the closest wall with an outlet. By having wireless chargers (with more advanced development) on each table, students will be able to maximize their time more efficiently.

Testing the who: Everyone who is in my who categories, “libraries around UF campus,” would benefit directly but there is an opportunity for more people to benefit. This would include restaurants, coffee shops, malls, and workplaces.
Testing the what: There would not be any boundaries for this opportunity. It can be widely sold to businesses and expanded to make outlets and dragging around your portable chargers and outlets out of business.
Testing the why: The only market this may not reach would be people with old outdated software that would not be advanced enough to connect with the wireless charging pads. People are already used to bringing their wireless chargers with them everywhere and might not think there would be a need for this opportunity.

Interview #1
As a UF student, Mike would be very interested in this idea of implementing wireless charging in libraries. He is constantly declining the opportunity of going to the libraries or hanging out around campus because either his phone or computer is about to die.

Interview #2
Paul doesn’t believe this would be a good opportunity because he uses a lot of space on the tables in the libraries. He likes to spread out his notes and a small outlet would be more efficient.

Interview #3
As a librarian, Hailey thinks this would be a great idea for students. She says that multiple people come up, especially during the night hours, to her desk asking for chargers for their computers and phones.

Interview #4
Jordan loves this idea but believes it is not necessary to waste a lot of money on, since it would be a giant investment. It might cost less if libraries give out portable chargers to rent, like they do with bikes around campus.

Interview #5
Mike doesn’t see a need of adding wireless chargers to libraries because we wouldn’t be able bring it around campus. This would also make the libraries more crowded than they already are, especially when they are sitting there for the charger and not to study.

Conclusion
I am surprised by all the flaws this opportunity might bring. I didn’t think about the massive amount of increase of students visiting the libraries and the opinions of those who are not students. While this is a good idea, the functionality and price of this business plan would be insane.