The implications of the Purple Cow and the survey results for my individual project confirmed many of the ideas and thoughts I've been brainstorming. First of all, the survey talks about Facebook "Likes" and says 20% of users will like something on FB but an overwhelming 75% of fans will tell friends the traditional word-of-mouth way. For my mobile app restaurant locator this means that they need to find a way to bring the discussion offline and spread the word "on the streets" so to say as opposed to just focusing their efforts online.
Another interesting factoid from the survey was that less than one in 10 people say a deal is the number one thing that influences them to try a local business. As part of the mobile app restaurant locator, it will point out nearby restaurants and their "top dish", and for participating restaurants offer a small discount off the dish to get users in the door. Although a discount offer is embedded as part of the business plan, I was relieved to find out that the founders of the start-up plan to differentiate "top dish" discounts from deal sites like Groupon and Living Social by offering a minimal discount that is good for only one use. The major draw of their mobile app isn't the discount, but rather geography-based dining recommendations with user rankings of their favorites.
And finally, Seth Godin's idea of a Purple Cow applies to the mobile app as a reminder to continue innovating and being outside the box. The company was the first mobile app builder to provide a geography and time-based Happy Hour iPhone app just a few years ago which led to over 1 Million downloads and rave reviews from press and bar owners. Rather than resting on their laurels, they are seeking out the next Purple Cow by creating an alternative to the Yelps, UrbanSpoons, and GoogleMaps of the restaurant seeking world. Hopefully their hunch is correct and with my help to identify "sneezers" and generate buzz, they'll be off to another round of success!
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