Should Universe prioritize expanding its event creation tools or improving its existing ticketing system?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether Universe should prioritize expanding its event creation tools or improving its existing ticketing system. This decision is crucial for Universe's growth strategy and user satisfaction. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering user needs, business objectives, and technical feasibility. Let's dive into the key aspects that will inform our decision-making process.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on recent market trends, I'm thinking event creation might be a key differentiator. Could you share how our event creation tools currently compare to competitors?

Why it matters: Helps assess competitive advantage and potential market share gains Expected answer: We're slightly behind in some areas but have unique features Impact on approach: Would prioritize innovation in event creation if we're lagging

• Considering our revenue model, I assume ticketing is a major revenue driver. What percentage of our revenue comes from ticketing fees versus other sources?

Why it matters: Helps balance short-term revenue needs with long-term growth potential Expected answer: 70-80% from ticketing, remainder from partnerships and premium features Impact on approach: High ticketing revenue might favor improving the existing system

• Looking at user behavior, I'm curious about the ratio of event creators to ticket buyers. Can you provide some insight into this?

Why it matters: Helps determine which user segment might have a larger impact on growth Expected answer: 1:20 ratio of creators to buyers, but creators drive overall platform value Impact on approach: Low creator to buyer ratio might prioritize creator tools for network effects

• Regarding technical feasibility, are there any significant architectural limitations in our current ticketing system that would impact improvement efforts?

Why it matters: Helps assess the complexity and potential timeline for ticketing improvements Expected answer: Some legacy code, but generally flexible architecture Impact on approach: Legacy issues might favor gradual improvements over complete overhaul

• Considering our team capacity, how are our engineering resources currently allocated between event creation and ticketing features?

Why it matters: Helps understand the realistic scope of changes we can implement Expected answer: 60% ticketing, 40% event creation, with some shared resources Impact on approach: Uneven allocation might influence which area we prioritize for improvement