To Innovate, There Must First Be a Need
Have you ever seen a product come onto the market and thought “what a great idea! I can’t believe nobody has thought of it before”? This is because a need is being fulfilled where there was previously a gap. Innovation is driven out of a need. It is based on someone creating an idea which solves a unique problem.
The Infinite USB Memory (IUM) Drive was created to solve a problem, how to play downloaded content on a TV and HiFi system quickly and cheaply?
This all started in about July 2008 when Ahmad was trying to find a solution to viewing his downloaded content. He had a nice 40” TV and Surround Sound System however the content he downloaded was on a laptop with a 14” screen. He could just plug the Laptop into the TV and use the headphone port to the HiFi however then he couldn’t sit on the couch and use the laptop at the same time.
He started to think about possible solutions and one day we had a chat in a cafe. Being a fellow tech-junkie I was onboard immediately looking for a solution too as could see the benefit however Ahmad and I took different paths. We both tried various solutions which failed and were very costly. I decided to settle with what I had and trusted that in the future “someone” will create the perfect solution. Meanwhile, Ahmad started to think about what the perfect solution would be and how it would work.
In September 2008, Ahmad had created the first version of the IUM Product Description. Ahmad sent it to me asking for feedback and suggestions. I immediately thought “wow, this is great solution as all I need is a laptop and this device”. Ahmad was clear from the very beginning that he wanted to build the IUM as he felt it could be a solution for all consumers. Ahmad filed the patent documents and was ready to create the product.
Ahmad issued the first Request for Tender (RFP) in early 2009 and we discussed the idea of becoming business partners and setting up a company. Together we have grown and developed the company and product through the good and the bad.
I will discuss in future blog posts the challenges of outsourcing and manufacturing. Let’s just say it hasn’t been smooth sailing, however the experience has been amazing.
Fast forwarding to today, we’re on the verge of the product release. The product has evolved into something much bigger than we first imagined, based on the feedback we have received from reviewers, testers, blog posts, staff, interns and friends.
We have overcome so many technical, logistical and personal challenges and together we have managed to create from nothing a company, brand and office with a product we are sure will make consumers say “What a great idea! I can’t believe nobody has thought of it before?”
David McKern
Co-Founder & CMO
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