Should Chief prioritize in-person events or invest more in digital networking features for members?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether Chief should prioritize in-person events or invest more in digital networking features for members. This decision is crucial for Chief's growth strategy and member engagement. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering the business context, user impact, technical feasibility, and resource allocation. Let's dive into the key aspects to make an informed recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm thinking Chief's current mix of in-person and digital offerings might be relevant. Could you share the current balance between these two aspects of the service?

Why it matters: Helps understand the starting point and potential for change Expected answer: 70% in-person, 30% digital Impact on approach: A more balanced mix might suggest a gradual shift, while a heavily skewed mix might call for a more dramatic change

• Business Context: Based on Chief's positioning as a premium networking platform, I'm curious about the revenue model. How does Chief currently monetize its services, and what's the split between in-person and digital revenue streams?

Why it matters: Aligns decision with financial implications Expected answer: Subscription model with premium pricing for in-person events Impact on approach: Higher revenue from in-person events might necessitate a careful transition to digital

• User Impact: Considering Chief's target audience of executive women, I'm wondering about their preferences and behaviors. What feedback have we received about the value of in-person vs. digital networking?

Why it matters: Ensures alignment with user needs and expectations Expected answer: Mixed feedback, with some preferring in-person and others valuing digital flexibility Impact on approach: Would inform how to balance and potentially segment the offering

• Technical: Regarding our digital capabilities, I'm curious about our current platform's scalability. How well-equipped are we to significantly expand our digital networking features?

Why it matters: Assesses feasibility and potential timeline for digital expansion Expected answer: Moderate capability, would require some investment Impact on approach: Might influence the pace of transition and resource allocation

• Resources: Thinking about our team structure, I'm interested in understanding our current capacity. How are our teams currently allocated between managing in-person events and developing digital features?

Why it matters: Helps gauge the effort required for a potential shift Expected answer: 60% events, 40% digital Impact on approach: Significant reallocation might be needed for a digital focus