For Preply's group classes feature, should we emphasize larger class sizes for cost-efficiency or smaller groups for more personalized instruction?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining for Preply's group classes feature is between emphasizing larger class sizes for cost-efficiency or smaller groups for more personalized instruction. This scenario touches on the core tension between scalability and personalization in online education. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering user experience, business metrics, and long-term strategic implications.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on Preply's current business model, I'm thinking group classes might be a new revenue stream. Could you share how group classes fit into Preply's overall revenue strategy?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize the trade-off against business objectives Expected answer: Group classes are a key growth area for expanding market share Impact on approach: Would influence the balance between rapid scaling and quality control

• Considering user behavior, I'm assuming there's a spectrum of preferences for class sizes. Can you provide insights into user feedback or data on optimal class sizes for language learning?

Why it matters: Informs the potential impact on user satisfaction and retention Expected answer: Users generally prefer smaller classes, but there's a range of acceptable sizes Impact on approach: Would help define the boundaries for experimentation

• From a technical perspective, I'm curious about our platform's capabilities. What's our current capacity for handling concurrent video participants in a single class?

Why it matters: Determines the feasibility of larger class sizes Expected answer: Current limit is around 25-30 participants per class Impact on approach: Would set upper limits for class size experimentation

• Regarding resources, I'm wondering about our instructor pool. How flexible is our current roster of teachers in terms of availability and willingness to teach larger groups?

Why it matters: Affects our ability to staff different class size configurations Expected answer: We have a mix of instructors, some prefer smaller groups, others are open to larger classes Impact on approach: Would influence how we structure the experiment and potential rollout

• Thinking about timelines, is there a specific market opportunity or competitive pressure driving the urgency of this decision?

Why it matters: Helps balance the need for quick action versus thorough analysis Expected answer: Moderate urgency due to increasing competition in the online language learning space Impact on approach: Would inform the scope and duration of our experimentation phase