Apr 23

Focus groups

We have decided to use a qualitative method of data collection as we feel that this is the best way for us to gather the rich data we require to support the development of our platform.

So we decided to organise a focus group of up to 10 students. The idea is to be able to steer the conversation with a set of questions, but also to allow free discussion and conversation surrounding the topics to ensue. This way, the participants are able to feel relaxed and open about their opinion, and therefore, provide us with honest data.

Equally, it only seems appropriate that as our platform is based on the concept of community and groups, that our research method should mirror this environment.

After researching the focus group method and discussing within our team we decided to recruit 10 University of Southampton students as this provided us with ease as we already have an existing community, but also research suggests that this is a core audience of similar existing technologies.

We designed the following structured open-ended questions to outline toe focus group directives:

1)      Would you use an online video streaming sharing service?
2)      Would you prefer an app or website?
3)      How often do you think you would use it?
4)      How useful/enjoyable/important is this type of social network idea to you?
5)      What would attract you to use this type of product?
6)      Do you already use anything similar?
7)      Do you feel this type of service is lacking in the current online community environment?
8)      Why would you use this service?
9)      If you have any, what are your reservations against using this service?
10)   What are your top three concerns?

We feel that these questions allow us to understand the core motivations and concerns our target audience has and therefore tailor our platform to fit.

References:
Alexa.com. (2018). Rabb.it Traffic, Demographics and Competitors – Alexa. [online] Available at: https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/rabb.it [Accessed 29 Apr. 2018].
Kitzinger, J., 1995. Qualitative research. Introducing focus groups. BMJ: British medical journal, 311(7000), p.299.

– Alex

Apr 20

Challenges we encountered and how we resolved them

The problems that the team encountered during the project 

Coming from different majors makes it quite hard to accommodate meetings where everyone is available, what with our different schedules. Thus, at the beginning it took a little time to coordinate a meeting that enabled us to agree on the topic. Additionally, different backgrounds and skills also lead to some miscommunication during discussion but from this we have learnt a lot of new skills and gain lots of knowledge. To work within the timeline is one of the challenges as well.

How we mitigated the problems

We planned the structure together and managed to workload by separate all the tasks based on the background and knowledge of each member. A good thing that helped our group is that we had catch up session every week to update all work and help each other to think about the work. We work as a team and aim to perform to the best of our abilities, with everyone pushing each other to do the best they can.

Apr 20

The proportion of adults who use different applications for watching films/ TV programmes in percent.

There are several applications used in the UK that provide movies/TV on demand to users. The variety of channels become an advantage for the UK viewers as they have more choices to choose for increased utility. Those applications allow customers to  enjoy movies anytime and anywhere they want.

According to the Communication Market Report (2017), the favourite programme that gains the most attention from the British audience is BBC iPlayer, which is used by 63 percent of people. The second majority is ITV, which is voted at 40 percent, next is YouTube at 38 percent, and then Netflix at 31 percent, and lastly Facebook at 16 percent. The least popular among UK users is Sky which is only used by 12 percent of people.

 

Reference:

Ofcom. (2017). Box Set Britain: UK’s TV and online habits revealed. [online] Available at: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2017/box-set-britain-tv-online-habits [Accessed 9 Apr. 2018].

Apr 20

The percentage of locations that British usually watched the films/programmes.

Technology’s rapid growth has allowed people in this decade to have more convenience compared to the past. The users can play the Internet wherever they want on their own devices. According to the Communication Market Report (2017), the majority of people are watching the movie in their bedroom which is 51 percent which more than half of the users.

The second largest group, at 24 percent, are people who watch movies during a holiday. While watching during commuting/travelling and in the kitchen is 16 percent, and 9 percent in both garden and bathroom respectively. Pub/Cafe/Restaurant serve as the location for the smallest group in this report, a 7% preferring to watch movies in such places.

 

Reference:

Ofcom. (2017). Box Set Britain: UK’s TV and online habits revealed. [online] Available at: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2017/box-set-britain-tv-online-habits [Accessed 9 Apr. 2018].

Apr 19

The rate of Britain’s movie and TV habits

The graph represents the number of people who watched the movie/TV show online in the different range of ages in 2015. According to the Communication Market Report (2017), there are four different periods that people are spending their time online, which are everyday, weekly, and monthly.

The majority group of people in the United Kingdom who watch movies/TV shows online as a hobby is made up of people between 16-24 years old. 82 percent of them spend time watching something online at least one time a month, and 62 percent of them do it at least once a week. On the other hand, the eldest spends less time when compared to other groups and the majority of people never watch movies online.

 

Reference:

Ofcom. (2017). Box Set Britain: UK’s TV and online habits revealed. [online] Available at: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/media-releases/2017/box-set-britain-tv-online-habits [Accessed 9 Apr. 2018].

Apr 19

The Digital Ages

The trend of the digital video/ movie watching.

There are three main ways to watch a movie on your own computer: physical retail, physical rent, and digital. As shown in the graph above, at the beginning of 2009, most customers bought DVDs to watch movies since there were not many alternatives.

After that, the physical retail slightly dropped to present. In contrast, the digital video started at the bottom and increased dramatically up to date (Mark, 2017).

The death of the DVD (Video)

As we are currently in the age of digitalisation, people turned away from the regular activity of watching via DVD, since the users can now find the movie/TV programmes by their own on the internet. According to Mark (2017), the physical rent market fell to 21% (£49m).

Moreover, the sale of DVDs and Blu-ray discs dropped to 27% (£894m). This is very first time the revenue went below £1bn. The total revenue for digital video has surged to around 23% (£1.3bn) last year.

 

Reference:

Sweney, M. (2017). Film and TV streaming and downloads overtake DVD sales for first time. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/05/film-and-tv-streaming-and-downloads-overtake-dvd-sales-for-first-time-netflix-amazon-uk [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

Apr 19

Key Partners and Key Resource

Key Partners

WatchTogether has to build a strong presence on many of the social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc. A company should be able to reach it’s customers, and vice-versa, on such platforms because internet plays an important part in a lot of people’s day to day lives.

The online version of WatchTogether should be usable on all internet browsers. Thus, we must ensure that it works on all the popular internet browsers, like Internet Explorer from Microsoft, Safari from Apple, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.

Key Resource

The company will develop a better software to ensure the application is able to use on mobile smoothly and the website is able to access easily since it is believed that simple is the best.  Additionally, how to use guideline will be provided once the user has accessed the application. Human resource is one of the keys to move the company forward. As we are the start-up company, we will create and develop the application by ourselves to make it more valuable for the society.

Reference:

Salleurl.edu. (2018). Degree in Software Application Techniques | La Salle | Campus Barcelona. [online] Available at: https://www.salleurl.edu/en/education/degree-software-application-techniques [Accessed 8 Apr. 2018].

 

Apr 19

Key Activities

WatchTogether offers a service which people could access from anywhere in the world with free of charge. The users are able to watch and share not only the movie but also TV shows. It is very simple to use the application which easily creates more loyal customers in the future. The goal of the company is to get you closer to someone you love, no matter wherever you are.

There are simple steps to use our website. First of all, the clients can create a room for the private chat room and use the code to find the room. Secondly, everyone people who want to watch the film should have a file to press start together. Moreover, 24/7 hotline call center is available in order to service users with unexceptional situations. This process is provided to solve customers’ problem immediately. All key activities are set up to satisfy customers and meet the company’s objective, which is to bring together friends and family in a casual setting, or work colleagues in professional setting.

 

Reference:

GmbH, F. (2018). Call Center Agent / Hotline / Company | HD Stock Video 228-205-842 | Framepool & RightSmith Stock Footage. [online] Available at: http://footage.framepool.com/en/shot/228205842-call-center-agent-customer-service-adviser-hotline [Accessed 7 Apr. 2018].

Apr 19

The Financial part

Revenue Streams

The company can get a lot of money from the selling space to promote every advertisement on our website. In fact, one ad can stay for an extended period.

Multiple spaces on the website can be sold to include an ad, with varying prices. If the banner is big and outstanding, the cost will be high according to the appearance and location.

Cost Structure

Capital from investors
Costs which WatchTogether has to pay are the cost of employee salary, the maintenance of the software, advertisement, etc. Although the company has some amount of expenditure, the company is confident to reach the break-even point in a few years, and to get the profit in the long-term investment.

References:

Srivastava, S. (2016). Should I put Ads on my Personal Website?. [online] Stannals. Available at: http://www.stannals.org/should-i-put-ads-on-my-personal-website/ [Accessed 2 Apr. 2018].

Ibenegbu, G. (2017). Capital expenditure vs. Recurrent expenditure ☞ Know the difference. [online] Naija.ng – Nigeria news. Available at: https://www.naija.ng/1112111-what-recurrent-expenditure-capital-expenditure.html#1112111 [Accessed 2 Apr. 2018].

Viziad.com. (2018). Website Advertising | Viziad. [online] Available at: https://viziad.com/adspace/index/f8N6n7TOvp3 [Accessed 2 Apr. 2018].

Apr 19

Customer Relationships

To be able to serve users at the right time is the goal. Thus, a live stream chat 24/7 function will be provided for certain types of accounts so that WatchTogether staff are able to help users when help is needed. In addition, there will be a review part which all users are able to share their feedback with the team for future development.

Additionally, users are able to connect with WatchTogether via social media sites such as Facebook, Youtube, Instagram as well.

References:

Boerman, P. (2015). Betere manager worden? Verzamel eens meer feedback over jezelf – MT.nl. [online] MT.nl. Available at: https://www.mt.nl/leiderschap/betere-manager-worden-verzamel-eens-meer-feedback-over-jezelf/88541 [Accessed 5 Apr. 2018].

Jones, K. (2018). Word of Mouth Marketing and Social Media. [online] Raven Media, Website Design and Advertising. Available at: https://www.ravenmediallc.com/word-of-mouth-marketing-social-media/ [Accessed 5 Apr. 2018].

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