Pioneering Convenience: Our Odyssey with CMU Sugo

“Innovation is the future delivered.”

- Jorge Barba

Embarking on the entrepreneurial journey requires not only passion but a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic needs of the target audience. Our expedition with CMU Sugo, an innovative app tailor-made for Central Mindanao University (CMU) students, stands as a testament to our commitment to enhancing student life. In this extended blog, we will delve deeper into the intricate stages of our entrepreneurial odyssey – from the conceptualization of the idea to the crafting of a compelling venture proposal.

During the last week of February, we roamed around the campus to identify and interview students, a crucial step in preparing our major proposal for the CMU Sugo app. Join us in this blog as we share diverse opinions and feedback from these students about our app.

Features of CMU Sugo:

CMU Sugo stands as a testament to our commitment to redefining convenience for students. The app boasts a plethora of features designed to streamline various aspects of student life. CMU Food facilitates easy exploration and ordering from on-campus and out-campus eateries, Transportation simplifies commuting, Part-Time Jobs connects students with employment opportunities, and the 'Looking for BH' feature addresses the housing challenge by providing a platform for students to find safe and suitable accommodation.

During Venture Proposal:

Creating a business involves a crucial step: gaining approval through pitching, typically preceded by a venture proposal. In our case, meticulous preparation involved thorough research, PowerPoint creation, and script crafting for our service, CMU Sugo.

On February 13, 2024, during the venture proposal, unexpected time constraints, limiting us to 5 minutes, impacted our presentation. Post-presentation, our advisor, Mr. Reymark Menguito, highlighted presentation flaws as the primary issue. He advised refining our presentation skills before advancing to actual pitching. However, he praised our service, CMU Sugo, acknowledging its innovation.

This experience taught us the significance of effective presentation. We understood that even with a brilliant innovation, improper presentation hinders its impact. Taking the critique positively, we view it as motivation to enhance ourselves moving forward.

Journey of Customer Discovery:

The inception of CMU Sugo was rooted in the recognition of the multifaceted challenges faced by CMU students. The journey of customer discovery involved immersing ourselves in the daily lives of students, conducting in-depth interviews, and hosting focus groups to understand their pain points. CMU Sugo emerged not merely as an app but as a comprehensive solution catering to the diverse needs of students.

As we navigated this phase, the richness of the insights gained was striking. CMU Sugo, with its features like CMU Food, Transportation, Part-Time Jobs, and the unique 'Looking for BH' feature, struck a chord with the student community.

Interview Phase:

This section will be divided into two phases, each outlining the steps and the result from our face-to-face interviews with various students at CMU.

Phase 1. Interview Time:

During customer discovery on February 23, 2024, we received notable feedback from three groups:

Positive Responses (Arjay, Emma, Jayrod):

Commended our service-based business, expressed intent to use the app. Emmarielle raised safety concerns, specifically regarding the report mechanism.

Doubts and Safety Emphasis (Brit Aquila Tandog):

Raised skepticism about the service's viability. Emphasized the need for assurances regarding student safety. Open to using the app if safety concerns are addressed.

Efficiency Recommendations and Partnership Inquiry (Andrea Matchon):

Commended the idea but questioned a potential partnership with CMU. Suggested setting up stations for riders to enhance efficiency.

Phase 2. Results:

Following feedback from Andrea, Brit, and Emma, we'll collaborate with CMU to boost credibility and explore partnerships. Addressing safety concerns, we'll enhance the app with improved reporting and safety protocols. Rider stations will be considered for efficient service delivery. Our goal is to boost user confidence, improve quality, and succeed in the market.

Overall, the insights garnered during the customer discovery phase were transformative. CMU students not only embraced the idea of CMU Sugo but also contributed to its evolution by providing valuable feedback. The praise fueled our enthusiasm, while the constructive criticism became a catalyst for improvement. The iterative nature of this process ensured that CMU Sugo wasn't just a product of our vision; it was a collective creation, shaped by the needs and aspirations of the very community it sought to serve.

Conclusion:

Our odyssey with CMU Sugo has been an exhilarating exploration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and student-centric problem-solving. The app, designed with features spanning food, transportation, part-time jobs, and housing, encapsulates our commitment to making student life not just manageable but enjoyable. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to refining and expanding CMU Sugo, driven by the feedback and experiences shared by the very students it seeks to empower. The journey continues, and we are excited about the positive impact CMU Sugo will bring to the vibrant community at Central Mindanao University.