Market Research Series: The Pat Flynn Way (Part 1: Mission Design)

Based on Pat Flynn Book, Will It Fly? How to Test Your Next Business Idea So you Don’t Waste Your Time and Money

Part 1: Mission Design

A. The Airport Test

What it is? The Airport Test is a thought experiment wherein you envisioned what your life looks like 5 years from. To help you create your vision, imagine you are in the airport and you see an old friend and ask you, “How’s your life?” and the answer you want to give is “My life’s amazing.” The key question is: What’s happening in your life five years from now that makes you respond like this?

Why is it important? Conducting the airport test will help ensure that your target idea or goals are aligned with your values and future self.

How does it work?

Step 1: Get a piece of blank paper and folded into four.

Step 2: Define the four most important categories in your life: Health, Finance, Business, Relationship etc. Write it down on each quadrant.

Step 3: Determine why life is awesome five years from now. As you write your goals for each category, make sure you use a present tense verb instead of future tense.

B. The History Test

What it is? It is another thought exercise wherein you list down all your past experiences, whether a job or hobby.

Why is it important? The goal here is to know your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and the skills that you may have forgotten.

How does it work?

Step 1: The What. List down the past jobs, contest, or club you have joined in the past.

Step 2: The When. Next, is to write the date it happened.

Step 3: The Good. List down at least three reasons why you enjoy those experience.

Step 4: Your Favorite Memory. Write down your most memorable story.

Step 5: The Bad. List down at least three reasons why you hate those experience.

Step 6. Grade.

A — Everything about it was perfect!

B — For the most part, it was very enjoyable.

C — It was okay.

D — Didn’t really like it much.

F — A terrible experience.

Step 7. Repeat the process for the other experience.

After listing down your history, time to evaluate. You may notice some patterns and similarities on different experiences. Use your discoveries if the business you are planning is aligned with your goals and personality.

C. The Shark Bait Test

What it is? The is based on the famous TV Show Shark Tank wherein the startup entrepreneur have to their pitch in front of well-known investors.

Why is it important? By doing this exercise, you will discover your ‘unfair advantage’. What skill or asset that you have that no one else has, or very few others might have in a specific niche? What makes you special?

How does it work? This is similar to History Test. But this time you are asking for help from others. Talk to at least 10 people and ask them what they think are your ‘superpowers and kryptonite’?

D. Folding Your Wings

“A plane symbolizes flight, movement, and innovation. It also symbolizes freedom. In the air, without the constraint of road and terrain, you can choose to move in any direction you’d like.” — Pat Flynn

After finishing all the exercise, time for some fun. Fold the paper and turned into a plane.

Along with your entrepreneurial journey, you may be frustrated and bound to give up. This will serve as a reminder on the why’s of business.

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You may also check for:

Market Research Series: The Pat Flynn Way (Part 1: Mission Design)

Market Research Series: The Pat Flynn Way (Part 2: Development Lab)

Market Research Series: The Pat Flynn Way (Part 3: Flight Planning)

Market Research Series: The Pat Flynn Way (Part 4: Flight Simulator)