7th C: Connection

CONNECTION:

The last but not the least important concern is the connection, the new product makes with the consumer. This connection or the bond between the user and the product builds up only when the user is satisfied with the product performance and begins to cherish it, which in turn creates a demand for the product. In fact it is the customer satisfaction that makes the winning product and completes the most important criterion for innovation. 

SEATX:

To judge customer satisfaction, we decided to show our product to a few elderly people to test the usefulness and satisfaction of our product amongst our target consumer segment. Here's an excerpt from the interview of Mrs. Sita Devi (82) from Jodhpur, Rajasthan who was presented the sketches of the product and was explained the working of the product (translated to English for better reading experience):

Q: What comments do you have on the usefulness of the device in solving the problem?
A: I feel it majorly covers most aspects of the problem and provides satisfying solutions for them. If we just focus on the major problem, easy movement inside and outside the car, the solution seems to be fairly impressive, although a bit complex for people my age to understand. I would still like to have this seat installed as I feel it would help solve such a grave problem of mine at a probably fair price. 
Q: Talking about the complexity, which parts do you feel should be easier to understand?
A: The product seems to be fairly high input in terms of technology, which means most of the users would be unable to easily understand how to use it without the help of some youngster. You can add a detailed manual but with age, the will to read such complex manuals decreases quite a bit. 
Q: Whenever and wherever the product needs to be installed, if we send a serviceman to help in the installing, would that solve the problem?
A: Yes, surely! I think that would be a lovely solution.
Q: Talking about other aspects like ease of usage, weight, portability, etc. how do you feel the product would perform?
A: I feel you have incorporated previous suggestions for the same well and I don't have any specific comments over any of these aspects. Just that, from a distant look, it's portability should be questioned, whether the product can be uninstalled and installed for use elsewhere. Otherwise, it seems that the product should work just fine.
Q: And last but not the least, any comments of gratitude towards the product team? :P
A: Definitely! I can vouch for many other elderly people as well when I say this: you people have solved a problem of deep anxiety for us, as it allows us to be more independent in our movements and less reliant on our children and grandchildren for our daily chores, especially moving in and out of cars. Thanks a lot for the help! I hope you price the product fairly for me now that I've come in handy during the production process haha!
Fin.
Using the findings from interviews of the elderly along the product creation journey, we were able to incorporate suggestions which helped us in arriving at the final product design, description and mechanism (as mentioned in the previous blogpost). The above interview helped us to gauge a final user take on the product before we move towards large scale manufacturing of the product.