Back when I wrote a series of posts about how things happen faster (e.g. delivery of information, adoption of technology) and the need for immediacy – the idea of binge TV watching was a nascent idea (some of us had binge-watched Sopranos on DVD).
When I read the numbers for the debut episode of “Breaking Bad” ‘s final season – they doubled their viewership – I realized binge was its own part of the need for immediacy in our consumption habits. We want it all in one big gulp – better evidenced by the built-to-binge shows by Netflix “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black.” Who has the patience for episodic, week-by-week shows (granted many are still winners in this category)?
On the subject, add another area growing around our need for ‘need it now’ – the sharing economy. Not all of the apps and services in this category comply (e.g. Airbnb still takes the same time as Hotels.com). But if you want your dry cleaning picked-up now – TaskRabbit can find someone to do that. There are even apps for sharing tools. Why go to the hardware store and buy a hammer when someone near has one you can ‘borrow/rent.’
All of these are examples of products that focus and deliver on the promise of speed. Is this an area where your product excels – or could differentiate? When thinking about building a new product, be sure you have your hand on the pulse of the patterns that are emerging – it’s a good way to get ahead, fast!
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