A case for mediocre products

In this article, I look at the idea of requiring context in understanding what is a mediocre product. Does it solve the problems it's meant to solve? Its worth to the customer and their satisfaction. I also welcome you to share your ideas with us at taji.africa.

A case for mediocre products ​

It's friday, it's blog day.

When you come across a product and think, "this is so bad"." A billion dollar company shipping mediocre product." This article puts in words, my thoughts.

It doesn't matter ​

Whenever you come across a website and think, gross. But do we ever think if the client thinks that's sufficient enough? Does the customer think so? Does it matter? I have come to a conclusion that feedback matters when it comes from those who think the product is worth it. Constructive feedback will often not be constructive to the product owner or its customer. We often give feedback thinking it counts as contsructive but there is always a disparity. Those for a said product and those aganist.

Oh, change ​

As humans we don't really love change of any kind. We appreciate change that's gradual and sometimes there is a distinction between generation. If it works, why touch it? If I have or maintain a good enough customer base why touch it? Maybe to target a bigger customer base? It's all conflicting and sometimes some things are better left untouched. Looking to please every human? Good luck. I maintain the idea that being content is something that is overlooked when judging products. The customer is content. The product owner is content. Then, let's just fix issues instead of doing an overhaul of what exists.

A product needs to maintain a level of advancement that is acceptable.

It depends ​

Like everything in this world, context. This speaks for itself but some can't really grasp it. What is the context? Why is the product so bad? I think it's bad for you. Is it bad for the majority really? Democracy would reckon differently. Majority rule. So am I saying that your opinion on it is invalid? No. It's bad for you. It doesn't work for you. As a christian, I realise that if that doesn't work for you, try something different or even better define your doctrines and start a movement yourself. That is validated.

For what it's worth ​

Mediocre is a varying standard. Is it worth it to the client or customer and not you? That's okay. A varying standard is not even a standard anymore. Whatever high bar you set for a product will usually depend on the amount knowledge you have on the problem being solved. Your problem might differ slightly or by much from the one the product solves. If you are more sophisticated in a certain industry then you may think that's too simple of a problem to solve. But if you have negligible knowledge on a problem, then the simple problems are worth more. So what is it worth ? I could pay a mechanic more to do a certain amount of work that I would have done for myself. For what it's worth, value is in the problem. The customer base accepts the product.

Does it cut it? ​

When we(in my country) reach the end of secondary school, we do an examination(certificate of secondary examination). This will shape your life(if you don't have the resources to sponsor yourself at the university). The exam will also have a say of what you can and cannot do. You could be performing for four years and fall sick at the end, and it messes with your life. There are cut off points and depending on how well you do, you get more options. The cutoff points will vary depending on the subjects. Let's say you want to do medicine, which has a higher cut off of 46. We do 8 subjects, so they take Biology, chemistry maths and English(4). Each A has 12 points. So for the 4 subjects, you need to have scored As in two and A-(11) in 2 to get a total of 46. Not many student can achieve that feat. Not many can do medicine then. Its not a great system to handle one's life but its been removed for a better system I believe. The point is, do you cut it? Did you miss being the target market by a point? So, while you crtique, its best to understand that the product is alive beause they set a cutoff point and you may have fallen short by a point. Hope you understand and it doesn't "mess" with your life.

I should make one... ​

I don't suggest you do, but if you do and it solves a problem, then do. It won't matter then since if there were a better option, the product would not thrive. There is always market for mediocre. The value is in the problem solved.

Let's hear about your mediocre idea? ​

We are willing to listen to your idea and grant our input here at taji.africa. Book a a call with me and let's discuss your problem. Life is too sophisticated to second guess yourself, book the call.

Cheers!!