Comments on: The Indian Startups’ Nightmare: Where are the Early Adopters? http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/ a perspective as seen from the trenches. Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:22:31 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Vijay http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3370 Vijay Mon, 26 May 2008 11:10:52 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3370 @Manu: Yep, those 10 mil are definitely fragmented and are a little higher or lower depending on what vertical you are talking about. As for Worldspace, I think their TAM itself would have been much smaller. How many people actually listen to anything apart from their regional language radio stations? I'm not surprised. @Manu: Yep, those 10 mil are definitely fragmented and are a little higher or lower depending on what vertical you are talking about.

As for Worldspace, I think their TAM itself would have been much smaller. How many people actually listen to anything apart from their regional language radio stations? I’m not surprised.

]]> By: manuscrypts http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3369 manuscrypts Mon, 26 May 2008 10:59:13 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3369 As Saurabh has pointed out, the 10 million (even assuming its a true representation) is fragmented since different products/users have different audiences.. which actually could be a blessing in disguise when battling the reliances of the world... i, for one, believe that if a product/service is built such that it offers a tangible difference to the potential customer, the early adopter may not be a problem... but yes, i also agree with the 'indian mentality'.. though not a start up, i've had experience with an entity called Worldspace where sales of a satellite digital service (with some 40 odd radio stations) was difficult because the audience was used to getting free radio... and thats a product with a clear tangible difference.. As Saurabh has pointed out, the 10 million (even assuming its a true representation) is fragmented since different products/users have different audiences.. which actually could be a blessing in disguise when battling the reliances of the world… i, for one, believe that if a product/service is built such that it offers a tangible difference to the potential customer, the early adopter may not be a problem… but yes, i also agree with the ‘indian mentality’.. though not a start up, i’ve had experience with an entity called Worldspace where sales of a satellite digital service (with some 40 odd radio stations) was difficult because the audience was used to getting free radio… and thats a product with a clear tangible difference..

]]> By: Vijay http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3368 Vijay Mon, 26 May 2008 06:13:49 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3368 @Saurabh: 1. Would these early adopters be different for each vertical? Yes. Why would someone who wants to try out an experimental version of cancer treatment be the same as a guy who is trying out a copy of the next windows version? They wouldnt. I think that definitely goes without saying. 2. "Talking to them would be difficult". If you know your audience, i dont see a problem. 3. The Indian Mentality: Dont know what to say. You are an entrepreneur right? break that mentality! The 1% is a standard when it comes to Technology adoption curves in stats. Check it out sometime. @Saurabh:

1. Would these early adopters be different for each vertical? Yes. Why would someone who wants to try out an experimental version of cancer treatment be the same as a guy who is trying out a copy of the next windows version? They wouldnt. I think that definitely goes without saying.

2. “Talking to them would be difficult”. If you know your audience, i dont see a problem.

3. The Indian Mentality: Dont know what to say. You are an entrepreneur right? break that mentality!

The 1% is a standard when it comes to Technology adoption curves in stats. Check it out sometime.

]]> By: Saurabh Garg http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3367 Saurabh Garg Mon, 26 May 2008 06:09:19 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3367 Interesting post Vijay but I think there are two issues with the definition of early adopters. 1. Early adopters would be different for different segments. A tech early adopter would be different from a fashion early adopter. And hence talking to them would be very very difficult. 2. Lets say you can reach all these early adopters in your vertical, do these early adopters really have the kind of clout considering Indian mentality? Would be interesting to read your perspectives on this. Regards, SG P.S.: On that 1% number, am not really sure :D Interesting post Vijay but I think there are two issues with the definition of early adopters.

1. Early adopters would be different for different segments. A tech early adopter would be different from a fashion early adopter. And hence talking to them would be very very difficult.

2. Lets say you can reach all these early adopters in your vertical, do these early adopters really have the kind of clout considering Indian mentality?

Would be interesting to read your perspectives on this.

Regards,
SG

P.S.: On that 1% number, am not really sure :D

]]> By: Ranjan http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3366 Ranjan Sun, 25 May 2008 17:53:30 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3366 @ Mrigank: The funds and the operating muscle are the other nightmare areas for Startups. The funds and the operating muscle can work for the established players, though. Every vertical will have its own way of finding the early adopters, I feel. For example, for a personal finance web app, a way could be to carry out workshops and seminars for the targeted groups. Looking forward to more thoughts here @ Mrigank: The funds and the operating muscle are the other nightmare areas for Startups. The funds and the operating muscle can work for the established players, though.

Every vertical will have its own way of finding the early adopters, I feel. For example, for a personal finance web app, a way could be to carry out workshops and seminars for the targeted groups.

Looking forward to more thoughts here

]]> By: Mrigank http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3357 Mrigank Tue, 20 May 2008 05:43:14 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3357 If: a) The funds are there b) The operational muscle is there The early adopters could be: a) a paid customer b) Another one to help you reach a 'critical mass' A quick story here: When Murdoch (media) was taking on his rival (names not mentioned here), in the dish tv game - he very quickly realised that the game was about how many people 'saw' that 'others' are using one particular service. One night - he asked his guys to go and hammer his dishes into the walls of over 30% houses in the prime target areas of London (even though there were no users). He won because he went over the hump of 'critical mass' in the mind of the customer. Moral of the story: Think of innovative ways to get over that early adoption curve. If its difficult to get that early adopter - create the perception that you have already have them in the mind of other customers, and you will usually get your early adopters and more. This doesnt always have to hold true only if you have the monies locked down.. If:
a) The funds are there
b) The operational muscle is there

The early adopters could be:
a) a paid customer
b) Another one to help you reach a ‘critical mass’

A quick story here: When Murdoch (media) was taking on his rival (names not mentioned here), in the dish tv game – he very quickly realised that the game was about how many people ’saw’ that ‘others’ are using one particular service. One night – he asked his guys to go and hammer his dishes into the walls of over 30% houses in the prime target areas of London (even though there were no users). He won because he went over the hump of ‘critical mass’ in the mind of the customer.

Moral of the story: Think of innovative ways to get over that early adoption curve. If its difficult to get that early adopter – create the perception that you have already have them in the mind of other customers, and you will usually get your early adopters and more. This doesnt always have to hold true only if you have the monies locked down..

]]> By: Viral Sachde http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3356 Viral Sachde Mon, 19 May 2008 18:30:48 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3356 I understand the problem, Can some one please also provide some solutions ... Seriously, I think, It requires lot of marketing efforts to get that particular (right) early adopter (who just dont buy but also use n provide feedback.) I understand the problem, Can some one please also provide some solutions …

Seriously, I think, It requires lot of marketing efforts to get that particular (right) early adopter (who just dont buy but also use n provide feedback.)

]]> By: Vijay http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3355 Vijay Mon, 19 May 2008 08:58:49 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3355 Paras: "Relatively simpler", not generalized to the point of total redemption where they dont have issues at all :) Paras: “Relatively simpler”, not generalized to the point of total redemption where they dont have issues at all :)

]]> By: Paras Chopra http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3354 Paras Chopra Mon, 19 May 2008 08:49:41 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3354 Very accurate. For a startup, finding early adopters is as hard as it can be. That said, however, I don't understand how you claim that US startups have no such problems. Very accurate. For a startup, finding early adopters is as hard as it can be. That said, however, I don’t understand how you claim that US startups have no such problems.

]]> By: Sahil Parikh http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/2008/05/18/the-indian-startups-nightmare-where-are-the-early-adopters/#comment-3353 Sahil Parikh Mon, 19 May 2008 04:32:45 +0000 http://vijaysblog.wordpress.com/?p=207#comment-3353 Well said - thats why I love the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Chasm-Marketing-High-Tech-Mainstream/dp/0066620023" rel="nofollow">Crossing the Chasm</a>. And early adopters are a key to a business's entry into the mainstream market. In my experience (with marketing DeskAway online), most of our early adopters are from the US. They give us feedback, requests, ideas and pretty much drive our product development. Unfortunately, haven't leveraged that from the Indian audience. Its probably because people have gone through the process you mentioned: "thanks to the revolution of the personal computers, the software industry, the two generations of internet applications, and the plethora of communication channels" Well said – thats why I love the book Crossing the Chasm. And early adopters are a key to a business’s entry into the mainstream market.
In my experience (with marketing DeskAway online), most of our early adopters are from the US. They give us feedback, requests, ideas and pretty much drive our product development. Unfortunately, haven’t leveraged that from the Indian audience. Its probably because people have gone through the process you mentioned:

“thanks to the revolution of the personal computers, the software industry, the two generations of internet applications, and the plethora of communication channels”

]]>