Thought spark
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ThoughtSpark plans to create a virtual space for intellectual thinkers to solve community problems through proposed solutions and discussion. It aims to raise $1,500 initially through crowd funding to support startup costs and develop the product, then seek $50,000 more at 6 months to expand the product and launch it at 1 year. The company expects to approach investors in June and become profitable by mid-year 2.
Thought spark
- 5. Table Of Contents .5 Business Plan Executive Summary Company Summary Services Benefits Summary Market Analysis Summary Competition Business Model Structure Financial Plan SWOT User Personas Branding Guide & Collateral Site Map Wire Frams Design
- 7. Business Plan The ultimate benefit of the product is provide the potential for communities and users to view and create creative solutions to real world problems. Through the connection of intellectual minds, paired with incentives to post the best solution, the number of probable creative answers will increases. The lack of current competition and a unique user base allows ThoughtSpark to have the first-mover advantage, to be a new positive voice, and provide enormous up-side poetical. Objectives Executive Summary .7
- 8. Business Plan ThoughtSpark plans to align itself with other social networking sites, existing networks of intellectual thinkers, and corporations whose community initiatives match those of ThoughtSpark. The users will build upon the human need for self-actualization of which nothing currently exists to reach that goal. The proposed product is a win-win solution to all parties involved. Positioning Statement .8
- 9. Business Plan 1.Develop a user-friendly product that is designed to encourage positive participation in solving the posed problems 2.Develop a user base that is invested in our mission and has the intellect to execute it 3.Develop a relationship with communities of all sizes in order to understand what their needs are and how the solutions of the day can benefit that community Keys to Success .9
- 10. Business Plan Our mission is to create a virtual space where intellectual thinkers can come together to solve local, national and global community problems through proposed solutions and discussion. Mission Statement .10
- 11. Business Plan ThoughtSpark is looking for initial funding to support the startup cost of the product. The company plans to raise $1,500 over the first 6 weeks, through crowd funding sites such as www.IndieGogo.com. After this initial push there will be enough development in existence for additional funding and long term investors to be sought after. At 6 months, the goal is to have $50,000 to spend on further expanding the product to make it market ready. At 1 Year, the product will be launched. Based on conservative financial projections, the company will become profitable from mid-Year 2. ThoughtSpark plans to target investors hold similar value, meet our ideal investment or begin partnershiops with organizations such as the Pew Charitable Trust and the Knight Foundation. Start Up Statement Company Summary .11
- 12. Business Plan The company anticipates approaching potential investors in June of this year. After the initial push with crowd funding, the first round of financal needs is estimated at $50,000. The funds will be used for the core stages of development including the proprietary software program, the building and designing of the website and mobile app, and running market testing. The second round of financing would come at the end of Year 1 as the product would be in its final stages of production. The funds will be used to fully cover the software costs, systems and website development, test-run and fine-tune the operational process, and start the industrial marketing campaign. ThoughtSpark has no immediate plans for acquisitions nor does there exist a preferred list of potential acquirers. The company wishes to eventually gain non-profit status due to its unique service and network that involves the community it supports. Future Financial Predictions .12
- 13. Business Plan The company anticipates approaching potential investors in June of this year. After the initial push with crowd funding, the first round of financal needs is estimated at $50,000. The funds will be used for the core stages of development including the proprietary software program, the building and designing of the website and mobile app, and running market testing. The second round of financing would come at the end of Year 1 as the product would be in its final stages of production. The funds will be used to fully cover the software costs, systems and website development, test-run and fine-tune the operational process, and start the industrial marketing campaign. ThoughtSpark has no immediate plans for acquisitions nor does there exist a preferred list of potential acquirers. The company wishes to eventually gain non-profit status due to its unique service and network that involves the community it supports. Service Description Services It is important to note that during the interaction process with consumers, ThoughtSpark does not ask for or try to obtain credit card numbers or other financial information. The company therefore avoids consumer security concerns and limits possible liabilities.. Service Guarantee .13
- 14. Business Plan Benefits to Companies & Organizations Benefits to the Online Community It is important to note that during the interaction process with consumers, ThoughtSpark does not ask for or try to obtain credit card numbers or other financial information. The company therefore avoids consumer security concerns and limits possible liabilities.. The product creates a home for intellectuals and the olde generation that does not currently exist. Benefits Summary .14
- 15. Business Plan Benefits to Users There is strong motivation for users to be involved and voice their opinion. The ability for the user to communicate on a daily basis with people who are intelectually similar and who have a level of respect attached to their opinions. Lastly the competitive aspect of ThoughtSpark would allow you to see how you rank within the levels of ThoughtSpark and to allow someone to reach self-actualization .15
- 16. Business Plan Our Market Our market has two sides: the internet social networking market and the tangible, real life discussions found on television, on the radio, in magazines, newspapers, and even personal discussions. Part of our market challenge is to translate the physical world to the virtual world of the internet while building upon the values that already exist in a traditional newspapers. Market Analysis Summary .16
- 17. Business Plan Promotion, Sales and Marketing The launch of our product will be a progression of invitation only access to the site. The success of our product relies on invested and motivated users, making the first users and early adopters very important. While there will be only two kinds of accounts, a corporate and an individual account, there will be many different types of users. There will be the “ThoughtLeader:” individuals that we target to find solutions. There will be “The Commoner:” who participates but mostly observes. And there will be communities who are seeking solutions. The strategy for the launch is to send out invitations to our target audience. Initial invitations, will be to MESNA members, those listed below from Government Technology list of top 25 innovators from 2011- and 2012, and other intellectuals to be determined individually. .17
- 18. Business Plan Invitees Chicago’s Digital Trio Kevin Hauswirth- Social Media Director John Tolva, CTO Brett Goldstein –Cheft Data Officer Debbie Conway- Recorder, Clark County Nev. Crisis Commons Co-Founders Andrew Turner, Heather Blanchard, Noel Dickover Milwaukee’s Dynamic Duo Nancy Olson, CIO, Milwaukee Laurie Panella, CIO Milwaukee County Christopher Mitchell, Director, Telecommunications as common Initiative, Institute for local Self- Reliance Dale Jablonsky, Ast. Executive Office, IT service Branch, CalPERS Ron Littlefield, Mayer, Chttanooga, Tenn. Larry Godwin, TN Department of safety and homeland Security Dick Clark, CIO Montana Steve Nichols, CTO Georgia John Nixon, Director, Michigan Department of Technology, Managemnet and Budget .18
- 19. Business Plan V. James Onalfo, CIO NYC Police Department Jennifer Pahlka, Founder and Executive Directorm Code for American Steve Renker , CIP Riverside Calif. Executive Director, Smart Riverside Michael Riedyk, Creator, YouTown Kyle Schafer, CTO, West Virginia Bryan Sivak- Chief Innovation Officer, MD Mark Sloan- Homeland Security Director & Emergency Mgmt. Coordinator, Harris County, TX. Stanley Stewart, Deputy Chief of Staff for Eligibility intergration, Texas Health and human services commission Greg Wass, CIO, Cook County, Ill. Flint Waters, CIO, Wyoming Brad Wheeler , CIO & Vice Pres. of IT Indiana University 2011 Honorees Dick Aldridge, Claire Bailey, Ben Berkowitz, Terry Bledsoe, Joe Bruno, Mike Byrne, Barry Condrey, Steve Emanuel, Eric Frost, Lev Gonick, Louis Patrick Hill, Phyllis Kahn, Ronn Kolbash, Ellen Miller, Partick Moore, Gavin Newsom, Beth Niblock, Bill Oates, William Pelgrin, Dugan Petty, Kumar Rachuri, Stacy Dean Stephens, Harold Tuck, Steve Vigilante, Paul Wormeli. .19
- 20. Business Plan Companies Further expiation will eventually include company participation, where companies will be able to buy membership. Here is a list of target companies based on their current community involvement: Walmart, Bank of America, Exxon, Citigroup , Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, General Electric, Microsoft, IBM , Kroger, Macy’s, Safeway, Dow Chemicals, Morgan Stanley, General Mills, Xerox, Wholefoods, Hewlett Packard ,Vodafone, Proctor & Gamble , Nationwide, Bristol-Myers Squibe, Boeing, Caterpillar, AETNA, Altria Group, Google, Pfizer, Merck, Walt Disney, Albertson’s, Alcoa, Allstate, Anheuser- Bush, Archer-Daniels Midland, Best Buy, CVS, Dell, Delta Air, Duke Engery, Ford Motor, GAP, Honey Well, JC Penny, Pespi Co, The Coca-Cola company, Cisco System, Deere, DuPont, Georgia-Pacific, Goldman Sach, Hartford, Intel, MetLife, Motorola, Prudential, Time Warner, Wells Fargo, Verizon, JP Morgan Chase, Kimberly Clark, forbes, New York Times, NPR, Atlantic Magazine, Good Magazine, National Review Magazine, Target , UPS, Kohl’s, etc. .20
- 21. Business Plan Market Needs Social networking is a fueled by Facebook, Twitter, and a few other larger social networks. There currently is no social network that connects intellectual and communities leaders to bring about solutions. One of the biggest concerns for CEO’s is growth and how they can increase it in their company. Four main obstacles to growth are increasing competitive pressure, economic turbulence, changing consumers’ demands and internal organizational issues. Because the objective of ThoughtSpark is to facilitate intellectual discussion to solve community’s problems, there is an incentive to CEO’s and business to stay current and up to date with their consumers. .21
- 22. Business Plan Market Competitors Frost & Sullivan (www.Frost.com ) A market place for CEO’s to gain insight for their business and find solutions for problems within the market. Frost & Sullivan also sponsor events (Executive MindXchange’s) all around the world, both as physical conferences and virtual events. At these events they support brainstorming and personal problem solving through workshops, Think Tanks, Panels, roundtables, and mindshare’s. Frost & Sullivan industries markets categories include: Aerospace & Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Chemicals, Materials & Food , Electronic & Security, Energy & Power System , Environment & Building Technologies, Healthcare, Industrial Automation & Process control, Information & Communication Technologies, and Measurement & Instrumentation. Competition .22
- 23. Business Plan Other Online Market Competitors The Secular Café Provides a venue in cyberspace for people who want to socialize, share, support, and debate or discuss intellectual subjects such as religion, science, or politics in a relatively civil and friendly environment. The Secular Café Primarily Serves a non-religious community, but diversity is encouraged; people from any religious perspective are welcome to participate and become a part of the board’s community. They have User Agreements and Moderators. Navigation is difficult. Care2 The largest online community (19,114,254 members) empowering people to lead a healthy and green lifestyle while taking action on important causes. There are different groups based on interest. A lot of groups are based around causes, so if you join a group, then you join the cause. FledgeWing Provides aspiring student entrepreneurs with the framework needed to develop, build, and launch innovative new companies. When you sign up there is an Intellectual Property Policy and User Agreement that you must adhere too. And you have to type in your real name when you agree. They also have an Pitched Ideas Pages that have sub categories like financial services, energy & power. The website keeps track of the idea starter, who commented last, how many comments have been made and the number of views. The site also has articles on case studies, and projects for people, mostly students, to get involved in. They also have a place to post your resume with in your profile and you are able to connect through Facebook The Executive Channel They interview executives from all over the world and discuss different topics. The site is basically a collection of video’s and then comments on those videos. .23
- 24. Business Plan External Competitors The company is in a unique situation that it also as external competitors, outside their market place that compete for our user’s time. Top scholarly journals, new papers such as the New York Times & Wall Street Journal, as well as magazines like Good Magazine, The Atlantic or National Review, and even TV and radio shows, all are potential competitors for ThoughtSpark. .24
- 25. Business Plan Overview The company plans to locate itself in a metropolitan area that is supportive of start-up companies, has a high level of participants for initial testing, and local sources of financial capital. Currently, ThoughtSpark is run out of Savannah, GA, and will continue to have a location here in the event that headquarters is moved. The company plans to stay a privately owned corporation, thought the potential to gain non-profit status is attractive. Business Model Structure .25
- 26. Business Plan Organizational Structure •Board of Directors - Oversees all major company decisions, explores and researches expansion possibilities and benefits as well as the long term financial and practical wellbeing of the company •President -Main responsibility would be to manage and guide the Board of Directors, and act as guide for facilitation and management of the company •CEO - Main responsibility is to run day to day operations and act as a mediator on the companies behalf with external factors •Director of Finance and Operations- Responsibilities include financial oversight, safeguarding of assets, and human resources management •Director of Information Technology - Responsibilities include overall technological efficiency, software development, and information control •Director of Sales and Marketing - Responsibilities include sales generation, marketing programs development, and public relations .26
- 27. Business Plan Overview The following financial plan does not take into account any of the initial funds raised or donations received. The company plans to gain income through selling memberships to companies and organizations and allowing them to keep track of their own users on their own profile. Also they would have the ability to sponsor the question if it meets our criteria for an appropriate question. Financial Plan .27
- 28. Business Plan Projected Cash Flow While the membership of individuals and access to the website is free, the app would cost $.99 and companies would be offed a membership fee. Initially we are going to offer 100 companies yearly memberships of $500. With that they will have access to their own profile and automatic connection to their employee users. There will only be paying companies and individual free accounts to discourage false accounts. The corporate accounts give prestige to the companies with the most members/participation. It wills also allow for a company to appoint someone as that companies “ThoughtLeader.” Furthermore, while ThoughtSpark will automatically link companies to their employees, it will be each company’s responsibility to maintain their own profile. Eventually more and more companies will be added, however it is more about taking note of the individuals that are connected to the company and not about a corporate takeover of the product. There will be an additional $1,000 charge for companies to summit problems, although if their problems aren’t selected for posting no charge will be made. .28
- 29. Business Plan Break- Even Analysis With the addition of the first 100 company, ThoughtSpark will meet its initial investment point of $50,000. With the yearly renewal, addition of companies and eventual outside donors, a profit will be made on a yearly basis. .29
- 30. SWOT Analysis 1. Unique to market 2. Speaks to unique, relatively untargeted user 3. Beneficial to society 4. Provides deeper level of entertainment 5. Positive, constructive collaboration with little room to deviate 6. Invitation only society speaks to user 1. Social forums are less accepted with this user 2. Hard to regulate properly 3. Attracts a very specific user 1. Has the ability to prompt real, actual change within communities. 2. Can prompt change on a judiciary or legislative level 3. Easily expandable to different language and demographic platforms 4. Able to develop relationships with affiliate networks easily. 1. Very low acceptance if not marketed properly. 2. Lack o credibility within contributors. 3. Bias can develop within issues, thus tarnishing unbiased reputation. 4. Could get discouraging or monotonous if no action is ever taken. 5.Could spiral into something destructive quickly if not moderated correctly. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats .30
- 31. User Personas User Persona 1. User Persona 2. Jake Hodesh is the Executive Director at the Creative Coast. An Ohio Native with an impressive resume, Hodesh has worked with Tulane University, was a Policy Analyst at the White House, Co-founded Thinking Cap Inc. and worked countless projects with his wife Miriam under the Moniker of New Moon of Savannah. Hodesh joined the Creative Coast in the spring of 2010 and has been there since. Hodesh is interested in ThoughtSpark as a tool to not only keep in touch with the opinions of people like Wes Anderson and Thomas Freedman, but to also publicize issues that he wants solutions for that will help with the Creative Coast. Jake Hodesh wants interesting questions and intelligent people answering them. Karen Toler is a Mensa member and a mother of two. She works at Amwins Insurance group where she works with high-risk policies and tough to insure products. She travels for her work a lot and would most likely use this app while waiting on her flights or in long car rides. Her main goal in interacting with the program is to learn and grow with hers and others ideas. She would also use this as a way to relax from a hard day at work rather than watching a television show. Toler is also intrigued by the possibility of being involved and apart of something positive. .31
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- 40. Collateral Mouse Pad 1. For desktop users as a daily reminder to check in with ThoughtSpark! .40
- 41. Video Below are shots from a protional video that introduces our product. Collateral .41
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- 43. Site Map LOGO in f t ? Email Sign in using LinkedIn Password Log In Solutions Feed Today, 5/25/12 30 mins ago 28 Share +1 Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real issue lies with the transportation company. I think there can be a major overhaul in the way that goods... 30 mins ago 28 Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real issue lies with the transportation company. I think there can be a major overhaul in the way that goods... 30 mins ago 28 Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real issue lies with the transportation company. I think there can be a major overhaul in the way that goods... 30 mins ago 28 Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real issue lies with the transportation company. I think there can be a major overhaul in the way that goods... Log In - forget password? Daily Question - Solve - Dier -List nav T.S. Logotype Please read today’s problem and either solve or dier. Solve this problem or Dier your turn. This would be the first few sentences of this daily question. This will be the first glimpse of what this person had to say about the daily conversation. There would be a link to read more. Motha fuckin’ intro paragraph. More details about this question and a full elaboration yarnt. This would be the first few sentences of this daily question. This will be the first glimpse of what this person had to say about the daily conversation. There would be a link to read more. Motha fuckin’ intro paragraph. More details about this question and a full elaboration. Today’s Problem: 5/25/12 1,100 views 743 people approve. 140 comments Home Page - View stream - List -Info Home Page Jim Wainwright Community Inuencer Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real problem has nothing to do with the local farmers. The proper systems are not... 30 mins ago Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real problem has nothing to do with the local farmers. The proper systems are not... 28 3 days ago 28 Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real problem has nothing to do with the local farmers. The proper systems are not... 1 day ago Share +1 28 Another’s prole - View recent - network with -back Prole Jim Wainwright Community Inuencer Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real problem has nothing to do with the local farmers. The proper systems are not... 30 mins ago Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real problem has nothing to do with the local farmers. The proper systems are not... 5 days ago Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real problem has nothing to do with the local farmers. The proper systems are not... 28 3 days ago 28 Robert Paulsen If you stop and think about it, the real problem has nothing to do with the local farmers. The proper systems are not... 1 day ago Share +1 28 Mini Reader - view prole(s) - List -Like + Share (hidden) -Filter -other’s prole Jim Wainwright Community Inuencer .43
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- 54. Rachel Adrangna Project Leader Trey McKay Head Developer Wade Winebrenner Creative Director Soyoung Kim Developer User Experience Cordinator Mel Futscher Media Collateral Coordinator Kerry Stephens Business Manager Erin Kelly PR Social Media Coordinator Project Team
- 55. Carmichael,Matt (May 16, 2011)Ad Age Blogs The Demographic Of Social Media http://adage.com/article/adagestat/demographics-facebook-linkedin-myspace- twitter/227569/ Pingdom.com (Febuary 16, 2010) Study: Age of Social Network Users http://royal. pingdom.com/2010/02/16/study-ages-of-social-network-users/ Rubin, Courtney (Aug 30, 2010) INC. Internet Users Over Age 50 Flocking to Social Media http://www.inc.com/news/articles/2010/08/users-over-50-are- fastest-growing-social-media-demographic.html (June 20, 2010) NielsenWire Users 50 and Older Drive Half of Latest U.K. Web Surge http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/global/users-50-and-older-drive-half- of-latest-u-k-web-surge/ Lai, Eric ( May 15, 2012) ZDNet SAPPHIRENOW: Some Cool Mobile Business Apps Demo-ed Video-ed http://www.zdnet.com/blog/sybase/sapphirenow- some-cool-mobile-business-apps-demo-ed-video-ed/3181 Startup Nation Estimating Startup Costs For A New Business http://www. startupnation.com/business-articles/1248/startup-costs-new-business.asp/ McArdle, M., Walter, K., Leitch, W., Rauch, J. Crook, C., Fallows, J. , Rosin, H etc. (July 2011) The Atlantic Magazine The 14 Biggest Ideas Of the Year http:// www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/07/the-14-biggest-ideas-of-the- year/8556/1/?single_page=true Research
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