What ScoopU needs to consider: 

Millennials and Gen Z are more open to experimentation and innovation than generations have been in the past, but there is a thin line between taking society comfortably into the future and making society uncomfortable by the thought of change into what they perceive to be some sort of dystopian future out of black mirror. What ScoopU needs to do is decide whether our ScoopU wants to convince its target audience that it is just as “organic” as the old fashioned way and so there is no reason to feel intimidated by a new service, or to convince its target audience that ScoopU is better than “organic” because it is an enhanced college experience. 

 

What do you see that you want to replicate?

I do want to replicate the organic feeling, but perhaps an different type of organic, an enhanced organic. The strategy of leaving the past behind and diving head first into the future could be perfect for certain companies, but I believe that, on reflection, no individual wants to look back and feel that they had an abnormal college/university experience. They want to feel that it was a smooth, fun and memorable experience comparable to the ones older generations have had, and new generations will continue to have. But it is about balance. Dating sites are becoming very popular in contemporary culture because they focus a lot of attention on making the meeting between two people feel natural and “organic” while still being able to enhance the experience through the use of technology. The enhanced organic feeling is what I want ScoopU to be able to successfully replicate. 

 

Where do you want to deviate/differentiate from their model?

Where I want to deviate, or in others words, provide value, is to relieve the struggle, confusion, precious time and effort, awkwardness, and ignorance that comes along with the old fashioned way. Students who want the old fashioned route in search for a traditional organic experience can do so if they’ll like, but students should have the option to seek an enhanced organic experience that allows the student to feel more informed in a quicker amount of time, more confident, by being led by a sponsor who can help them along reach their goals quicker. 

 

What competitive advantage do they have that will make it hard for you to compete (beyond that they are established and/or may have money).

As mentioned previously, the “organic” problem is always a dilemma for ScoopU if there are students who want to endure the perceived “normal” route with all its challenges and plight, and if a majority of incoming students gravitate toward that method. Also, the level of safety could be perceived to be limited if the student chooses the old fashioned way, because there remains a level of independence that prevents from getting involved with other individuals with bad intentions. ScoopU is a service that involves a 1 on 1 student to sponsor relationship, which could be perceived as a trigger for people that have had negative, or even traumatic experiences that creates trust issues with other people that are meant to help or guide.

 

Will you pursue a similar value proposition?

No. ScoopU wants to accomplish the opposite by encouraging users to feel safe and comfortable when they put their trust into their sponsor. I suppose that in an indirect way, ScoopU also helps reinforce healthy relationships between individuals that users can carry with them through their academic career and into their adulthood. 

 

Why do you think it may NOT be a good idea to move forward with your idea?

I think it all comes down to how accurate my perception of the incoming student, and whether 1) this service can truly enhance their lives and 2) if there is a significant market share of incoming students who find value in it. If a majority of incoming students in modern society feel opposed to what they perceive as depending on the goodwill of another person to set the foundation of their academic experience, then I would have to reevaluate my definition of the modern day incoming college/university student. Maybe they are not nervous, or uncomfortable when starting at a new college or university, and even if they are, maybe they want to go through that because they find more value in the self journey than the guidance provided by ScoopU. The last thing I would want is to make a service that no one needs or wants, or even worse, a service that does more harm instead of good.