Identify Local Opportunities

1)“South Florida Hospital preparing for potential cases of coronavirus” by Cindy Krischer Goodman

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-ne-south-florida-prepares-for-coronavirus-20200124-c5y7i4ijsfc3fdixfuupcostsy-story.html

Summary: This news is about Florida hospitals are prepared if the virus makes it ways to the area, a risk that could increase as more travellers arrive for the Super bowl. Although Florida’s department of health said no cases have been reported in Florida, 50 people are being monitored in 22 states. There are 2 confirmed cases in Seattle and Chicago, which both had travelled to Wuhan. The symptoms associated with Coronavirus are coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. In severe cases there can be organ failure. The antiviral drugs used against virus will not work. People admitted to the hospital for coronavirus would likely get supportive care for their lungs and other organs as well as fluids. In Miami Beach, medical staff are preparing, adding China to the list of travel locations they question patients about. Some Florida hospitals are placing signs that ask patients to tell staff members immediately if they’ve traveled to Wuhan, China, in the previous 14 days.

The problem: Florida has several tourist destinations that people across the world come to visit; therefore, the infection of virus could happen so it’s better to prepare.

The people: Tourists, Florida residences, hospital staffs and doctors

2) “Miami recommits to reducing emissions by 2050” by Alex Harris https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&t=pubname%3AFAPSW%21Associated%2BPress%2BState%2BWire%253A%2BFlorida%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2020%212020/mody%3A0125%21January%2B25&f=advanced&format=text&docref=news/178B07F79DDBB8F8                                                

Summary: With sea level rise already lapping at its door, Miami made its first significant commitment to address the root cause of climate change, not just the symptoms, in which the city has joined C40: an international climate organisation that helps cities lower carbon footprint. The city government plans to go carbon neutral by 2050, a pledge that will change everything from what city employees drive to how the city builds and how it powers itself, mainly focus on renewable energy or clean energy.
The problem: The global warming has causing sea level to rise for a few decades now, since Miami is right next along the sea, it raises concern on how the city’s going to be in a foreseeable future. Without any prevention, it could speeder the time as well as making current situation more severe.                                                                                                                                         

The people: Residences, tourists, mayor, environmental activists

3) “Florida officials restrict doctor from seeing women patients” by Associate Press State Wire.        https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&t=pubname%3AFAPSW%21Associated%2BPress%2BState%2BWire%253A%2BFlorida%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2020%212020/mody%3A0117%21January%2B17&f=advanced&format=text&docref=news/17887689027F6780                                                                                                   

Summary: This article is based on the case of Dr. Subhash Gupta who received an emergency restriction order emergency room visit of a woman who complained of inflammation in her lower abdomen, he put his hand underneath the patient's shirt and cupped her breasts, asking her to take deep breaths. The woman's problem had been diagnosed as colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine. The Patient’s breasts are outside the scope of practice and not for a medically recogniced diagnostic or treatment purpose.

The Problem: It’s true that not all doctors are trustworthy and it’s reasonable to have restriction to protect women patients; however, in case of emergency, restrictions might make doctors’ job becoming more difficult.

The People: state law agency, patients, doctors, hospital staffs

4) “Woman who fed vultures, gators settle lawsuit for $53,000” https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&t=pubname%3AFAPSW%21Associated%2BPress%2BState%2BWire%253A%2BFlorida%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2020%212020/mody%3A0116%21January%2B16&f=advanced&format=text&docref=news/1788222A1AFBE1F8                                                        

 Summary:  A Florida woman who fed vultures, alligators and other wildlife behind her gated-community home has agreed to pay $53,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by homeowners association. Neighbours reported seeing her providing finger sandwiches and raw chicken for the wildlife. They reported seeing many empty bags of dog food in a recycling bin near her house, though she doesn’t have a dog. The vultures that came in for the feedings lingered afterward, , adding that they smashed pool enclosures, destroyed outdoor furniture and grills and left the area with the stench of their bodily fluids. This lawsuit will make this woman really understands the extreme penalty she’d be under if this does reoccur

The problem: People likes to feed wildlife animals; this causes them to lose fear on human. There are many severe attacks happened in the past such as the alligator attacks small children at Disney resort in Orlando. For everyone’s safety, people you should all obey to the law.

The people: Residences, wildlife animals, state law agency

5) “Protests across US condemn action in Iran and Iraq” by Associated Press State Wire

https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AWNB&t=pubname%3AFAPSW%21Associated%2BPress%2BState%2BWire%253A%2BFlorida%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2020%212020/mody%3A0105%21January%2B05&f=advanced&format=text&docref=news/17845455B9625690

Summary:  Demonstrators in dozens of cities around the U.S. gathered Saturday to protest the Trump administration's killing of an Iranian general and decision to send thousands of additional soldiers to the Middle East. More than 70 planned protests were organised by CODEPINK and Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, a U.S.-based anti-war coalition, along with other groups.
From Tampa to Philadelphia and San Francisco to New York, protesters carried signs and chanted anti-war slogans. Protest organisers said the Trump administration has essentially started a war with Iran by assassinating Soleimani. A few hundred demonstrators gathered in Times Square and many other parts in the states on Saturday chanting they want peace for every country.

The Problem: The conflict between government could cause protests and wars, which actually the citizens of both countries oppose to these as they want peace. Also, political problems have impact on the world’s economy to be fluctuated and affect some industry such as tourism.

The People: Us residence, Us government, Iran

 

Forming an opportunity belief

I believe there is an unmet need in winter wear rental in Bangkok, Thailand (my hometown). The product includes coat, jacket, fur, ski suits and other accessories, which are luxury and high-end brand such as Moncler and Canada Goose. Rental business benefits from buying a lot (economies of scale), which some have partnership with brands for special price deal. Many Bangkokians love to travelling during wintertime, going to European countries and go to a ski trip. Although there are lots of high-purchasing power people who can afford to buy $1,500 jacket or $2,000 fur, there are other factors to support this rental business. First, the maintenance costs are high since most of them require dry cleaning, some fur even require special cleaning which is more expensive (it could cost more than $100). Secondly, people love to post pictures when they are travelling on social media, so there is a tendency that people don’t want to wear the same clothes, especially young adults. Third, the weather in Thailand is very hot: there is no occasion people can wear winter wear. Therefore, with all the reasons above, I think it’s possible to that winter wear rental is an unmet need, especially for young to middle age working women who wants to save costs and changes clothing styles. Nowadays, there are already lots of successful rental business in Bangkok such as fancy costume, dresses, and brand name business. This means that customers are not new to rental business and delivery services are widely used. Also, using social media platform to reach customers is easy.

#1: a 50-year-old housewife who loves travelling abroad

·       Have you ever bought a winter wear stuff and regret because you barely get to use them?

Not really, I do travel a lot and a classic coat can be kept for a long time.

·       Have you ever tried any rental business in Bangkok such as book, dress, fancy costume?

Yes, I’ve tried a dress rental once when I went to my friend’s daughter wedding.

·       Did you know that the cost of maintenance in each time can take up to 15% of price you buy?

Yes, that’s bother me a lot and there’s no other way I can do it to make them clean.

·       Do you feel any uncomfortable about using social media platform or delivery services?

I don’t really stay updated on Instagram, but a lot on Facebook. I’ve never used any delivery services by myself before because my daughter always orders things for me.

·       Will you be interested to rent winter wear instead of buying them?

Yes, that would be nice to try. I’ll rent if I see styles that I like.

·       What kind of winter wear do you think you’ll interested/ buy frequently?

I would say ski wear and accessories because my families go to the ski trip nearly every year in Hokkaido.

REFLECTION: for this customer group, they might not interest in rental services if they already happy with the items they have already bought; they do not pay attention to styles as much as young adults do. The factor that might change their minds is the maintenance costs that they can cut, and if they feel comfortable using delivery services application.

#2: a female university student

Have you ever bought a winter wear stuff and regret because you barely get to use them?

Yes, I’ve bought quite an expensive fur coat and got only 2-3 occasions to use them. Also, in the past, my size changes and I can’t wear them anymore.

·       Have you ever tried any rental business in Bangkok such as book, dress, fancy costume?

Yes, I've tried a lot of rental business because I will get to use them until I’m bored with paying a small amount of money.

·       Did you know that the cost of maintenance in each time can take up to 15% of price you buy?

Yes, and I hate that. Sometimes before sending to dry clean services, I keep them until they get quite dirty.

·       Do you feel any uncomfortable about using social media platform or delivery services?

No, I feel like teenagers at my age all access to social media and delivery services are very convenient. I’ve sent stuff to my friends’ house when I borrowed her shoes, and it only took 30 mins to deliver to her house.

·       Will you be interested to rent winter wear instead of buying them?

Yes, but the rental fees have to be quite low as comparable to the full price otherwise I might buy normal brand instead.

·       What kind of winter wear do you think you’ll interested/ buy frequently?

I think I’ll go with fur jacket because it’s very trendy right now.

REFLECTION: I think there is a high unmet need in winter wear rental for this prototype because they really get used to using social medias and delivery services. Also, they think that rental is worth the money and they also dislike to dry clean. They seem to love products that are trendy; therefore, instead of buying, they might want to have high selections of clothes.

#3: a newly graduate male student

·       Have you ever bought a winter wear stuff and regret because you barely get to use them?

Sometimes, I don’t really shop much. I always make good decisions when buying things.

·       Have you ever tried any rental business in Bangkok such as book, dress, fancy costume?

Yes, I’ve tried a book rental when I was a university student.

·       Did you know that the cost of maintenance in each time can take up to 15% of price you buy?

Yes, I’ve heard of that, but I barely bought expensive clothes that require dry cleaning.

·       Do you feel any uncomfortable about using social media platform or delivery services?

Not at all. Both are very easy to use on smartphones.

·       Will you be interested to rent winter wear instead of buying them?

Yes, if I travel abroad, I would try because I don’t have to buy and take good care of it. Also, fashion changes quickly, I don’t want to wear things that I’ve bought and already outdated.

·       What kind of winter wear do you think you’ll interested/ buy frequently?

I think a coat sounds good, and it’s perfect for my vacation in Europe.

REFLECTION: This prototype seems to give an importance on pricing as they just started working and their salaries might not be high enough to purchase expensive winter wear. They also give an importance on styles and trends as well. The good point about this group is they use lots social medias and delivery service applications.

SUMMARY:

I think the opportunity is still there for winter wear rental services in Bangkok. From the interview with various demographics people, it seems that young adults (university students and working age) tend to be more interesting in this unmet need. I do believe that the business would be in high demand if it can provide fashionable items and keep updating the product. Also, the rental price should be low enough to encourage people to use the service; the challenge is how to lower the price purchase from brand name and maintenance costs as much as possible. Another thing to consider is the income can be quite cyclical: high during holidays and low throughout summertime. Therefore, it’s necessary to have enough inventories during demand is high and earn enough income to cover fixed costs during summertime or non-holiday season.