Indirect sales: "Highway to Hell" for the Product Owner?
If the product is sold indirectly, it is difficult for a product owner to make direct contact with the end users or customers to gather insights and ideas for use cases. However, there are still some strategies that a product owner can use:
1. Intensive collaboration with partners: If the product is sold through intermediaries such as distributors, resellers or retailers, the product owner can work closely with them to gather insights and feedback. Intermediaries can act as proxies for end-users and provide valuable feedback.
2. Conduct surveys: The Product Owner can design and conduct surveys to collect feedback and insights from indirect customers. The surveys can be sent via email, social media or other channels to reach a large number of customers.
3. Analyze usage data: The Product Owner can analyze usage data and other metrics to understand how the product is being used and identify areas for improvement. The usage data can provide insights into user behavior, preferences, and pain points.
4. Keep an eye on social media: The Product Owner can monitor social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to gather feedback and insights from customers. Social media can provide valuable information about customer sentiment, preferences, and feedback.
5. Collaborate with their own customer support: The Product Owner can work closely with the customer support team to gather feedback and insights from customers.
In summary, if the product is sold indirectly, the Product Owner can use a combination of these strategies to gather feedback and insights from indirect customers. It may take some creativity and ingenuity, but with the right approach, valuable information can still be gathered to guide the development of the product.