Forming An Opportunity Belief

I believe there is an unmeet need in regards to Publix subs and online ordering and the constant stealing of other people's subs. Anyone who has ever ordered a Publix sub online and went to the store to pick it up and found that it wasn't there has a need for this. The need itself is fairly new since Publix has just recently implemented online ordering. The problem lies with what happens after the online order is made. It is put in a case and left there to be picked up by anyone not just the customer. Right now nothing is being done about this problem and it just continues to rise. There are other food vendors who have come up with solutions to this problem for example Little Caesar's has a big machine that they put your pizza in and in order to access it you have to put a code in to the machine and it gives you the pizza. I think that there is about a 67% chance this opportunity exists.

#1. Early twenties male

• Have you ever ordered a Publix sub?
• Yes, on many occasions.
• Have you ever ordered a Publix sub online?
• Yes, about twenty to thirty percent of the time.
• Have you ever had a sub stolen?
• Not sure I have experienced missing subs but not sure if they were stolen.
• What would you do to prevent this from happening to you?
• I would not pay for the online therefore if it is stolen I don't really lose anything.
• When did you first become aware of this problem?
• When I realized how they left out the online orders for anyone to take.
• Would you feel more comfortable if Publix used a code system for their orders?
• Yes, because I think that it would provide more security for my order and keeps me from having to bother a worker.

Reflection 

I learned that I'm not the only person who has run into this problem and that others have also though of possible solutions to it. The most surprising thing I learned from this person is that they came up with the idea to pay for the sub at the store rather than online to possibly deter thieves.

#2. Female Early twenties

• Have you ever ordered a Publix sub?
• Yes, about once or twice a month.
• Have you ever ordered a Publix sub online?
• Yes, about fifty percent of the time.
• Have you ever had a sub stolen?
• No
• What would you do to prevent this from happening to you?
• I would order it in person rather than online.
• When did you first become aware of this problem?
• I saw someone complain about their sub being stolen at Publix.
• Would you feel more comfortable if Publix used a code system for their orders?
• Yes, because it insures that my sub was there and was the correct order and could also keep it warm or refrigerated.

Reflection

I learned that some people would rather just avoid the issue rather than try to find a solution to it. I also learned that I could take my opportunity further and use the machine for the code system as either a warmer or a refrigerator to keep the subs in good condition. 

#3 Female Mid Twenties

• Have you ever ordered a Publix sub?
• Yes, about twice a month 
• Have you ever ordered a Publix sub online?
• Yes, about seventy percent of the time.
• Have you ever had a sub stolen?
• No
• What would you do to prevent this from happening to you?
• I would ask them to hold it in the back and not put it out and wait till I come and ask for it.
• When did you first become aware of this problem?
• About a month ago when I heard someone complaining about it.
• Would you feel more comfortable if Publix used a code system for their orders?
• Yes, because then my sub would be protected from being stolen.

Reflection 

I learned that some people have never encountered this problem but have still heard of or even thought about it. Another surprising thing that I learned was that some people almost never order subs in person and usually only order online which makes me think the opportunity is real. 

Summary 

I think the opportunity is still there. After doing the interviews I have actually realized that many people have also thought about this opportunity. I also learned some new things I could attach to a possible proposal. I think customer feedback is huge and can really help you get to the root of your problems as a business. There is a trade off though you cannot always just blindly follow the customer and you must use clear decision making to find the balance.