[Live from Home Depot, via my Blackberry]
As part of my VC gig, I see a ton of new software and services. I get lots of opportunities to talk and deal with the developers of these products. One thing that continues to amaze me is how often the development of a product gets disconnected from the users when it comes to features and functionality.
I used to jump on developers that worked directly for me, saying that people have to be comfortable using something or the dogs won’t eat it no matter how cool it is. The pain of getting a flow changed, functions switched, etc, amazed me. Even when faced with a mountain of feedback, some developers just couldn’t get past this notion that trying to force people to get outside their respective comfort zones is, at best hard and, at worst, a company recipe for disaster.
Enter the toilet seat as the new tool you can use to help these otherwise extremely talented people; GET IT!
Read on.
I’m on a (temporary) kick to act like a real homeowner. This involves things like new garbage cans, cleaning out the garage, dusting behind the refrigerator, etc, etc. And getting a new toilet seat for one of the upstairs bathrooms has now made it to the top of the hunnee doo list.
This morning, I decided to head on over to Home Depot to get a replacement toilet seat. Having never done this before and thinking there might be various sizes, I did the sensible thing and removed the existing toilet seat so I could compare with a new one.
On the way over I started thinking about how normal (aka comfortable) it will be to wander around home depot with a toilet seat. Everybody in the place is there to do something involving the installation or repair of something. Indeed one might think of it as a sign of pride or a badge of honor that I, lowly VC/Bureaucrat, had the macho chops to be DIY in the bathroom business. Oh, yeah. In fact, to be Joe “I’m bad” Fix-it Stud Muffin, you haul around the whole toilet but that’s for another day.
I was, at the same time, pretty certain that if I walked around the grocery store with a toilet seat, the reaction would not be the same. I was sure of it, but as a service to my now loyal readership of 20 (thanks to all the cousins out there), I endeavored to prove this theory.
I swung by the grocery store (Sobeys, if you must know), hopped out and proceeded in with my toilet seat. I dropped it into the basket, wandered around, grabbing a few things, and then headed to the checkout. Stares, looks, snickers from kids, right on cue.
Next, I headed over to the Home Depot and did same. Nothing. Everybody, including the kids with parents, were all busy doing whatever.
By now, you’ve gotten the point.
Developers of products and services spend way to much time thinking that whatever environment they are in, it’s the same comfort zone as everybody else. So, the next time you want to remind a developer/designer to remember the target, send em out for a case of soda and a bag of chips while carrying the office toilet seat. That feeling of being uncomfortable, stared at, etc, is what some people feel like when a software and service isn’t comfortable for them.
Wow, a toilet seat with built-in blue-tooth and it’s on sale, cool!
Also, once you've learnt to look at things from other people's perspective, things just click into place in general, not just the task that you may be focusing on at the time. As if someone turned the lights on so to speak.
Your toilet seat antics reminded me of a group here in Australia called "The Chaser" who decided to see how the different stores reacted to someone shopping with a stocking over their head. Humorous to say the least.
Posted by: Michael Air | July 16, 2006 at 17:27
Knowing how much you like to travel, you might want to join these organizations so you can attend their Worldwide conferences. Regarding your earlier article about being inappropriate, # 6 on their list qualifies you for a gold star for the day!
http://www.worldtoilet.org/hp/wto_hp.htm
Excerpt from their DID YOU KNOW PAGE...
1. An average person visits the toilet 2500 times a year. About 6-8 times a day.
You spend about 3 years of your life in the toilet.
2. Poor toilet condition is a worldwide problem. More than half of the world population have no proper sanitation.
3. Suppression of urination due to dirty toilets can lead to kidney and bladder diseases.
In order to avoid visting public toilets, Some people refrain from drinking and suffer dehydration.
4. Most toilets are designed incorrectly.
5. Female takes 3 times longer than male, yet both toilet sizes are often same.
6. Toilet remains as a 'taboo' as people are shy to discuss the subject.
7. There are toilet associations worldwide promoting toilet education and culture.
Posted by: Air Jordan | July 16, 2006 at 18:48
Given the heartache bad software has caused me in the past, I think far greater discomfort is called for!
Posted by: John Dodds | July 17, 2006 at 06:13
In 1985, the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors did a poll of the use of outdoor recreation resources: National Parks, city parks, Wild and Scenic Rivers, state parks, golf courses, other public lands, swimming pools, amusement parks, sports arenas, etc., etc., etc. The number one consideration for whether people would go to a site was whether there were suitable, clean toilets. There are famous stories about the opening of Disneyland, and Walt Disney's obsession with providing clean toilets, in several sources of quality business.
By the way, the top recreational destination in 1985? The couch, to watch television. The poll didn't make the link, but home television watchers generally have a toilet close by that is clean, to their satisfaction.
The last time you visited a sports arena, did you get the idea that anyone was paying attention?
Posted by: Ed Darrell | July 17, 2006 at 07:34
I'm not sure which scares me most...
Your obsession with converting even a trival "hunnee doo" task into a VC test?
Or...
The fact that you are essentially a Software Geek masquerading in overalls and attempting to use Hardware hand tools?
Which beckons the question...
How long does it take Rick Segal to change a toilet seat?
No one knows. He's still using it as research material for his blog!
Remember, Rick, when you go to put the toilet seat back on... All screw threads are like blog threads. They are designed to be universal. Just because it doesn't seem to fit doesn't mean you shouldn't try twisting the subject matter a little bit harder.
Living with a house full of women, I hope you managed to get the right toilet seat. Surprises of that kind do not bring joy to the face of females.
Posted by: Steve Meyer | July 17, 2006 at 09:17