Psychology of Product Adoption (PowerPoint PPT)

Some innovations are truly spectacular, but consumers are slow or just refuse to adopt. In fact, over 70% of all new products fail in the marketplace—and innovative, new products fail at an even higher rate.

Why is this the case? And, how do companies overcome this?

This document discusses the psychology of product adoption. Topics include Prospect Theory, Endowment Effect, Loss Aversion, Give and Get Dynamics, Innovator's Curse, Product-Behavior Value Matrix, among other topics. It distills these concepts into Six Product Launch Strategies.

This presentation has instructional slides and examples.

The foundation of this consumer adoption discussion is around the difference between objective gains and losses vs. subjective gains and losses. This fundamental consumer bias results in psychological switching costs, in addition to economic ones. Studies have shown that, psychologically, losses loom larger than gains by two to three times.

The document delves into the intricacies of consumer psychology, emphasizing how reference points influence perceived gains and losses. It explains that consumers evaluate gains and losses relative to their current status quo, which can vary significantly across different markets. For instance, a price change in one region may be perceived differently in another, highlighting the importance of understanding local consumer reference points.

The presentation also covers the Endowment Effect, illustrating how consumers place higher value on items they already possess compared to new acquisitions. This psychological bias means that consumers are more likely to invest resources in retaining what they have rather than acquiring new products. The implication for businesses is clear: new offerings must significantly outperform existing solutions to overcome this inherent bias.

In addition, the document addresses the "Give and Get Dynamics," where consumers must give up an existing benefit to gain a new one. This trade-off is crucial in product adoption, as the perceived value of the new product must exceed the value of the old by a substantial margin. Companies are advised to ensure their new products offer at least three to ten times the value of existing ones to successfully navigate this psychological hurdle.