The Profitability of Businesses that "Buy from Consumers" From Book Off to Pasona: Why businesses that buy from consumers are overwhelmingly profitable. When comparing two types of businesses, those that "buy from consumers" have a significantly better business structure. Consumers are amateurs when it comes to selling. In fact, when taking books to Book Off, most people would rather sell them all at once for a mere 1 yen than go through the hassle of taking them back home. When consumers sell items, the one-time nature of the transaction prevents them from becoming familiar with the market price. On the other hand, businesses that buy from consumers engage in multiple transactions, allowing them to understand market trends.

The Profitability of Businesses that "Buy from Consumers" From Book Off to Pasona: Why businesses that buy from consumers are overwhelmingly profitable. When comparing two types of businesses, those that "buy from consumers" have a significantly better business structure. Consumers are amateurs when it comes to selling. In fact, when taking books to Book Off, most people would rather sell them all at once for a mere 1 yen than go through the hassle of taking them back home. When consumers sell items, the one-time nature of the transaction prevents them from becoming familiar with the market price. On the other hand, businesses that buy from consumers engage in multiple transactions, allowing them to understand market trends.

"Managing New vs Established Products" and "ブックオフからパソナまで｢消費者から買う｣ビジネスが圧倒的に儲かるワケ" may seem like unrelated topics at first glance, but they both touch upon the concept of understanding the needs and behaviors of consumers. Whether it's managing a new product or operating a business that buys from consumers, it is crucial to align with the target audience and adapt to their preferences.

When developing a long-term roadmap for a new product, there are several important considerations. Firstly, internal alignment is key. It is essential to ensure that all teams within the organization are on the same page and working towards the same goals. This helps in streamlining the development process and enables effective communication throughout the product lifecycle.

Secondly, strategy fit with the user is crucial. Understanding the target audience, their needs, and their pain points is essential for creating a product that resonates with them. Conducting thorough market research, user interviews, and usability testing can provide valuable insights into the user's perspective and help in designing a product that meets their requirements.

Lastly, keeping an eye on the competitor landscape is essential. The market is dynamic, and competitors can emerge or pivot at any time. Regularly monitoring the competition and analyzing their strategies can help in identifying opportunities and staying ahead in the market.

On the other hand, when optimizing and growing an existing product or segment, the focus shifts slightly. The primary objective is to enhance and expand upon what already exists rather than establishing product-market fit from scratch. This requires a deep understanding of the product's current performance, user feedback, and market trends.

In terms of aspiring product managers, breaking into the field can be challenging. One tip is to try finding an Associate Product Manager (APM) program. These programs provide structured training and mentorship opportunities to individuals interested in pursuing a career in product management. If that doesn't work out, another approach is to join a company that has an APM program in a different role and gradually work your way into the product management domain.

Working at different companies can bring about various adjustments, particularly when transitioning to a large organization like Facebook. One significant difference is the size of the company. To operate efficiently in a company with tens of thousands of employees, product managers at Facebook prioritize strong company-wide communication and information democratization. This ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goals.

Additionally, the scale of impact is much larger at Facebook. Most products developed at the company touch millions, if not billions, of users. This requires a strategic mindset and the ability to think on a global scale while considering the diverse needs of users worldwide.

When faced with an area in a product where it is difficult to prove ROI, such as improving customer service, it is important to focus on measurable metrics. While some aspects of customer service may seem intangible, there are always ways to quantify their impact. For example, in the case of WhatsApp's business messaging, metrics such as the number of advertisers, messages being sent, and the number of businesses using the product can help gauge the health of the overall ecosystem.

In conclusion, whether managing new or established products, understanding the needs and behaviors of consumers is crucial. Internal alignment, strategy fit with the user, and monitoring the competitor landscape are essential considerations when developing a new product. For optimizing and growing an existing product, the focus shifts towards enhancing and expanding upon what already exists. Aspiring product managers can benefit from APM programs or gradually working their way into the product management domain. When working on areas where ROI is difficult to prove, focusing on measurable metrics can help demonstrate the value of the improvements made. By keeping these considerations in mind, businesses can effectively manage their products and cater to the ever-changing needs of consumers.

Actionable Advice:

1. Establish strong internal alignment within your organization to ensure everyone is working towards the same goals.
2. Conduct thorough market research, user interviews, and usability testing to understand the needs and preferences of your target audience.
3. Continuously monitor the competitor landscape to identify opportunities and stay ahead in the market.