Keeping Strong Relationships: Using Technology to Stay Close to Those Who Matter

 In Data-driven, Idea

Overview & Introduction

The Good Life! The American Dream! Easy Street! Grinding! Hustling! These are the words and phrases shaping the modern day psyche. We continually strive for more. Burning the candle at both ends. But this approach comes with a price, a heavy one at that.

While we spend all our time trying to do more, we start compromising on our personal relationships. Often, the first thing to take a hit is time spent with family and friends. We take them for granted, not deeming them as ‘high priority’ on our long list of things that need to be done. You promise yourself that you will catch-up with a friend, but some work comes up. You can’t recall the last time you have had a long chat with your Mum, but you still push it for later.

The Problem

“It’s all about quality of life and finding a happy balance between work and friends and family.” – Philip Green

The pace of modern life is unrelenting! I feel that people of today are placing an increasing emphasis on work appointments and other obligations. But we never make enough time for family and friends. Even the concept of ‘making time’ is a struggle for many. As people lose touch with family and friends, they also distant themselves from their most dependable support systems.

A survey in the UK revealed that 1 in every 8 adults has no close friend and feels lonely. The amount of time a family spends together in a day is also declining fast. A survey had revealed that number to be 49 minutes per day in 2010. In 2015, that number had declined to 34 minutes per day. With ‘overworking’ being one of the main causes of Anxiety & Depression, it is crucial that people understand how to take a break.

Keeping these crucial relationships strong and healthy is a very real problem today. How do we make sure we are connecting enough? What can you do to make it a habit to keep in touch? Ironically, the challenge is how to use the modern day enablers to stay closer to our love ones – rather than it forcing us apart!

 

Visualising the Data

0 minuets
Average time spent on a smartphone daily, for adults in the UK.
0 minutes
Average time spent on a smartphone daily, for adults in the US.
0 minutes

The IDEA

The idea is a pretty straightforward: a tool that helps you keep in touch. I know, I know, you will say there are loads of apps already! Here comes the twist! All current applications reply on you sending a message, or a message being sent to you in order for the conversation to start. How about a tool which could use contextual information to prompt you to start conversations, or even better, organise in-person catch-ups. Think – personal relationship manager…

Sure it sounds daunting, but with rapid progress in the sphere of AI, it’s definitely not impossible. If it can improve our way of life, and alter my habits for the better, I would be willing to give it a go!

Let’s set aside our current topic for a moment. There are many things you say you will do, but don’t end up doing it. Even though your true intent is to indeed do that thing. Something as simple as walking your dog, servicing the car, cleaning your room and making time for your loved ones! So how do we overcome this habit of not getting around to doing things? The simplest way is to set reminders! Setting yourself reminders is a simple but effective method of getting things done! This is the hack we must leverage in our app.

SWOT

Strengths
  • Huge market size
  • Increasing awareness of issues of Modern Lifestyle
Weaknesses
  • Requires significant Research
  • Will need constant improvement and tweaking
Opportunities
  • Currently no such apps exist
Threats
  • Other apps using more advanced technology
  • An ineffective AI

Summary

Today’s idea hits at a personal level. It’s about improving the quality of your life by keeping your loved ones close. Magic will need to take place in order to perfect the balance of technology taking control of managing our personal relationships, ensuring they maintain a natural feel and do not become forced. This will be the ‘secret sauce’ of the solution – serving a great purpose once perfected!

How would you improve the idea? Or, are you still not sold on the concept? Are you there already, and want some further content?

Either way, below is the option to invest in further market analysis. Like the post you have just read, the purchase will allow you to pose a question/problem, with background as to what actionable insight you are currently in search of. You will then receive direct correspondence from myself, where we will discuss your topic. As you would expect, the research will be created bespoke for your request, all for only £100! (please allow for a 5 to 10 day turnaround)

Want to know what other ideas have been discussed, you can find the playlist of ideas here. If you’re only interested in the videos, then make sure you subscribe!

Sign-up to the mailing list below to know when the next idea launches.

HELP EMPOWER OTHERS, SHARE

Let's Talk

I look forward to hearing from you, thanks in advance!

Not readable? Change text. captcha txt
1