Are you listening to what they are saying? Do you give them a voice in your products direction? Do they get to see what is coming down the pipe? I hope you are able to say yes. I think that there is a very valuable resource within user groups. Listen to what they are saying. Not only do we tell them what is coming down the pipe we literally put the red pen in their hand to give us feedback so that we can build a better experience.

We are using ConceptShare to innovate ConceptShare. Enter ConceptLabs, the home of innovation at Conceptshare where we have opened the doors to our customers to innovate the product on an ongoing basis. This isn’t a space where we put our vetted ideas up for the ceremonial rubber stamp by the users …. this is where Bernie, Chris and I go to look a the latest screens for any of the upcoming additions that we are making on a regular basis. We look at it this way …who knows knows more about what ConceptShare should do then our users? Who better to give us feedback on the next iteration or the next really cool tool …. I can’t think of a better group to be asking then the people who are using the product every day.

I am sure there are a few people who would cringe at the idea of opening the doors to clients so early in the process. But we see it as being the best way to get the real ideas talked about before we implement them. It really echoes the way that we developed ConceptShare; we were on version six of the interface design before Chris ever started coding.
So how can your company take advantage of this? Create a workspace that is dedicated to client feedback. Invite your “Rock Star” users. Show them what you are thinking of doing. This is a different approach but it works. Our users are more involved, they see our progression and they genuinely want to be involved in it. So innovate with your users ….they will appreciate it.

If you are using ConceptShare to innovate your site or product please let us know we will be profiling power users in the coming months, we are always interested to hear how you are using ConceptShare.

Cheers

Scott

PS:if you are interested in joining the ConceptShare Labs …..let us know via email to feedback (at) conceptshare (dot) com

Categories: ConceptShare, Innovation, Product Design ~ ~ Trackback