In-Class Assignment - OK- I have an Idea - Now What?

OK—I Have an Idea—Now What?

In-Class Assignment - 10 Points - Create a Concept Map

Students,

Your Aunt Carole has come to you and your classmates for help with her new product. After years of frustration, aggravation, bites, and scratches from her beloved but bad-tempered long-haired cats when attempting to groom them, Aunt Carole has developed a new product—the “Happy Pet” mat remover. The “Happy Pet” electronically stimulates individual hairs to separate with no pulling or tugging on sensitive skin. Even the worst mat comes out easily. It is no more than two ounces, small enough to fit the owner’s palm, and made of soft rubber. It would come with an automatic recharger similar to that of a cell phone.

You have done some research and found that according to the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook (2012), Americans own approximately 75 million cats. Even if only 20 percent of them have long hair, that is a substantial market for a small business.

In your groups, create a concept map on the advice that you would give Aunt Carol to help her succeed.  You can draw your concept map on notebook paper or create it in word or google docs.  Submit your concept map and include all classmates on the assignment for credit.

Concept Map Definition: A diagram that depicts information, ideas and concepts into a graphical format.  Concept Mapping Video demonstration. Links to an external site.

You might start by considering the market viability of the idea. How do you find out if people will actually pay for something like this? Who is most likely to buy it? You have 15 minutes.