Customer Development Interviews

Rendering Bullets has conducted a couple of customer interviews which weren’t that detail oriented but asked college students if they were interested in a gaming gun controller. The assigned article* did ask us to complete customer interviews before we even started building the product. Even our venture mentor told us the same. Our situation is a little different since we already have a functioning prototype - but this will only make our job easier. When prospective customers have visual feedback, they are able to better mold their opinions around what they want, which in turn makes our job easier.

Now, customer interviews are going to take some work. The team acknowledges this. We are finalizing when and where we will be conducting these interviews and in what format will we conduct them (pen-paper, mass surveys, online google forms, one-on-one conversations, distributing questionnaires). We will also need to work on the finer details such as deciding how we are greeting people, how we will introduce the topic of a gaming gun, or asking people what amount of money they are comfortable spending without seeming too snooping/overbearing. The article* also emphasizes keeping quiet when the time is right. We must be careful that we aren’t too excited and not giving the customer a chance to speak enough. The team will need some training and also simulate some interviews before going outside. It’s also better if the team goes out together and conducts these interviews to show some solidarity and also cover up for someone in case he fumbles. Maintaining eye contact, showing or appearing to show genuine interest, following up post-interview are great tips which the team will certainly incorporate. Forgetting the interviewee’s name would be a big nope. Also, going around with notepads and jotting down notes will make us look more professional and also help us retain valuable customer insight.

So far, from the few conversations that we’ve had, the response to the gaming gun controller has been fantastic. People seem interested in buying one and some are even willing to pay big bucks for a high-end version. The team as a whole is certainly looking forward to conducting customer interviews.

*http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/thestartupadvantage/2015/01/22/customer-development-interviews/