Forming an Opportunity Belief: A Twist on Opportunity Identification

I believe that an opportunity exists when traveling on an airplane. In this time period, Bluetooth compatibility should be an option on airplanes if the plane has entertainment screens.

The unmet need is people not having a wireless connection when wanting to watch a movie, television series or listen to music on an airplane. Everyone who has switched over to wireless connection when listening to their phone probably struggles with this when traveling. They forget that they need wired headphones to use the entertainment for their flight. This need is fairly new because of the creation and popularity of AirPods. To meet this need now, travelers may realize before boarding the plane and can buy wired headphones in the airport, or realize on the plane and are forced to buy the low quality headphones that the airline provides for purchase. This opportunity definitely exists and an idea can be created to fix this problem.

Emily N.

What is the exact nature of the need?

“Inconvenience, I want to be able to utilize the inflight entertainment but can’t if I don’t have wired headphones.”

When do they become aware of the need -- that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes?

“While sitting on the airplane, panic sets in and I realize forget my wired headphones. Only sometimes though, sometimes I will remember to pack them but sometimes I forget.”

How long have they had the need?

“Ever since Bluetooth headphones went into style. Ever since first generations AirPods came out.”

When did they first become aware of their need? Why?

“When I was sitting on the airplane last year and wanted to watch the inflight entertainment but couldn’t.”

How are they currently addressing their need?

“I make sure that there is a pair of wired headphones on me at all times.”

How satisfied are they with this solution? “Sometimes if I take them out of my bag by accident and forget to put them back in I will struggle with this.”

Emily K.

What is the exact nature of the need?

“Everyone has wireless headphones now especially people who travel often”

When do they become aware of the need -- that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes?

“It depends on the person, if they travel a lot for work, they’ll experience this often, but people who don’t travel on planes as much won’t realize until it’s too late and have to buy a pair from the flight attendants.”

 How long have they had the need?

Ever since wireless headphones became popular and when it became the more convenient way to listen to music.”

When did they first become aware of their need? Why?

“When I got my AirPods and took a flight I struggled with this. I had to borrow wired headphones from my sister.”

How are they currently addressing their need?

“I have to bring headphones with the wires because I don’t want to buy new headphones”

How satisfied are they with this solution?

“I’m not satisfied at all because I never think to bring headphones because I already have my AirPods, so it doesn’t make sense to pack 2 pairs.”

Molli

What is the exact nature of the need?

“I don’t own headphones that fit in my phone and on airplanes, or I have to depend on the flyfi to watch it on my phone”

When do they become aware of the need -- that is, do they experience their need all the time or only sometimes?

“Every time I travel on an airplane, I have this problem. More than 6 times a year at least.”

How long have they had the need?

“Since AirPods came out so probably 2 years I experience this issue. Also, ever since the iPhone changed their headphone jack.”

When did they first become aware of their need? Why?

“What I just said before”

 How are they currently addressing their need?

“I guess I’ll invest in a pair of headphones that work on the plane. But I’ll just stick to using my phone or not watching or listening to anything from the plane for the time being.”

How satisfied are they with this solution?

“Not very satisfied. They should definitely have Bluetooth on the planes by now.”

Reflect

I learned after interviewing people that many people find this a problem as well. Some people have just accepted it and make sure to be prepared, but others give up and just resort to using their phones and not using the inflight entertainment at all. The most surprising thing that I heard was when Molli mentioned Apple changing the iPhone head jack as well. For many iPhone generations now, Apple gives headphones in the new phone box, but what I had not realized is that those headphones still do match the plane headphone jack. People have to keep their very old headphones from previous phones or go out and specifically buy the right headphone. I understand that not everyone has an iPhone, but majority of people seem to and struggle with this.

Summarize

My original opportunity is still there. I have the same original opportunity so there is no new opportunity. There is a positive trade-off if entrepreneurs adapt based on customer feedback. It would solve a huge problem now for so many people.