Finding “Product-Human Need Fit” in the Post-Covid Era

Finding “Product-Human Need Fit” in the Post-Covid Era

Post-Covid, individuals have stronger voices than ever. They are demanding products and experiences that reflect their unique identities and values. The next generation of innovation must extend not just to those with access, privilege, and power, but to those whose basic needs have been overlooked for too long.

While the impact of the pandemic was felt by all, under-represented communities bore an undue proportion of the pain. As the world changes, people adjust, and needs evolve, new opportunities come to life. Digging into the human motivation behind the consumers these companies serve, I would argue that "product-market fit" should really be called "product-human need fit."

Covid’s far-reaching impact brought about a different storm altogether: We saw a rare time in modern history when people were universally forced to descend to the most primal levels of the pyramid, no matter what stage they may have attained before. Black Lives Matter, Stop AAPI Violence, Transgender Rights. These and other social and political movements have added to an already unsustainable level of deprivation of basic human needs for many people.

Our constant ambition for more efficiency, performance, and achievement is impressive, but has blinded us to the fact that we can’t advance humankind if part of our community is struggling to meet basic human needs.

The Secret Power of ‘Read It Later’ Apps - Forte Labs

Reading is the closest thing we have to thinking another’s thoughts. It’s long and sometimes ponderous, but that work is required to wrap yourself in another person’s paradigm, which is the first step in madly letting go of your own. The ability to read is becoming a source of competitive advantage in the world.

What has become exceedingly scarce (and therefore, valuable) is the physical, emotional, attentional, and mental capability to sit quietly and direct focused attention for sustained periods of time. Google found that increasing the number of results per page from 10 to 30 took only half a second longer, but caused 20% of people to drop off. Getting Things Done cites the work of Dr. Roy Baumeister, who has shown that “uncompleted tasks take up room in the mind, which then limits clarity and focus.” The risk of cognitive dissonance at not being able to finish a long article (much less a book) keeps us from even beginning it.

Read It Later apps can be a powerful tool in overcoming these challenges. They allow us to save articles and content for later consumption, reducing the cognitive load and stress of feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information available. Instead of pushing a new piece of info through from intake to processing to consumption without any scrutiny, these apps create a pool of options drawn from a longer time period, which allows us to make decisions from a higher perspective, where those decisions are much better aligned with what truly matters to us.

Additionally, these apps can help increase the consumption of long-form content, which is often more substantive and provides deeper insights. By saving articles and resources for later, we can ensure that we set aside dedicated time for focused reading, enhancing our ability to understand and engage with complex ideas.

Furthermore, Read It Later apps can assist in better filtering. With the vast amount of information available online, it becomes crucial to curate and prioritize the content we consume. These apps allow us to save and organize articles, making it easier to access and reference them when needed. This not only saves time but also helps in building a valuable knowledge base.

There’s another way to learn faster: assimilate and build on the ideas of others. Sure, you won’t understand every tacit lesson their experience gave them, but you can incorporate many of them, and in a fraction of the time it would take you to make every mistake yourself. Ideas are high leverage agents, and they become more so when arranged in highly cross-referenced networks. The only tool we have available that is capable of both creating and accessing these networks on demand is the human brain.

In conclusion, as we navigate the post-Covid era, it is crucial for companies and individuals to prioritize "product-human need fit." We must strive to understand the diverse and evolving needs of all individuals and create products and experiences that cater to those needs. Additionally, utilizing tools like Read It Later apps can help us better navigate the overwhelming amount of information available to us, enabling us to consume long-form content, filter effectively, and assimilate the ideas of others. By embracing these approaches, we can foster innovation, inclusivity, and personal growth in the face of changing times.

Actionable Advice:

1. Prioritize understanding the unique needs and identities of your target audience. Ensure that your products and experiences reflect and cater to these needs.
2. Utilize Read It Later apps to save and organize long-form content, allowing for focused reading and deeper engagement with ideas.
3. Embrace the power of assimilating and building on the ideas of others. Create cross-referenced networks of knowledge within your own mind to enhance learning and personal growth.