FoodFun Lifeskills Instructional Software (FoodFun LIS) is a start-up organization whose vision is to create the finest education/entertainment software for non-reading individuals with developmental disabilities. To meet the specific needs of this customer segment, the software product was designed and developed by a Ph.D. veteran in special education. It will teach life skills and be useful, while also being fun to use. FoodFun LIS began as an Illinois L.L.C. Sue Altamirankow (Ph.D.) is the founder and owner of FoodFun LIS. She will be based out of Chicago.
The Market
FoodFun identified four distinct market segments interested in the software. These are the most likely buyers of the software. These segments are:
- Centers for Independent LivingThese centers were created to assist individuals with development disabilities in living independently. The curriculum often revolves around four essential life skills that each individual must have to be able to live independently.
- School Districts All states must provide education for students with special learning needs until the age 21. FoodFun’s software is often offered by school districts until students turn 18. They are often the ones who provide education for students with special needs.
- Proactive Parents– Parents who are taking an active role in the education of their children will be looking for aids that they can use at home to help with their child’s learning progress.
- Agency Several states have created agencies to act as intermediaries between service providers and individuals. The agencies have generally been formed as a result of a settlement or payout from a lawsuit (including class action).
Parents should only purchase one copy, but other segments may purchase multiple copies/site licences. They will likely purchase upgrades to the next version.
The Product
Grocery shopping and socialization/leisure are two of the main lifeskills which individuals with developmental disabilities are taught. FoodFun has created a unique software product that helps to teach these valuable skills. The software’s first component is grocery shopping. This digital cookbook contains all the recipes. Each recipe can be represented by a picture. The student can choose the photo they want and then see a list that includes the ingredients and tools needed to create the dish. The student can then print the pictures and take them with him to the grocery to make their own purchases.
The second component is the socialization/leisure time module that provides the user with a choice of many different social events/parties for which they can prepare food. This module allows students to plan for a party (and we know EVERYONE loves to plan for parties) and incorporates music linked to each type of social event to provide entertainment for the user. Most people with developmental disabilities are happy to click on a social event and listen to the music.
Competitive Edge
There are many companies selling educational products that target this audience. FoodFun LIS will use entertainment to increase their market share. It is a way to bring joy and create interest in their software products. This interest and joy will increase the amount of time that the students use the software, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the program. FoodFun believes that students are more likely to enjoy the product than being forced to use it.
Management
FoodFun was established by Sue Altamirankow. Sue is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Masters and Ph.D. degree in special education. She has taught in university settings for eight years. Her thesis, “Implications of Lifeskill Training for Individuals With Autism”, was published in a groundbreaking paper. It carefully examined all aspects of lifeskills. This thesis was the basis of her idea to create a software company. She realized that she could develop a study aid that would be fun and effective. It would be fun because the students would enjoy using it, it would be effective because it taught important necessary lifeskills
individuals with developmental disabilities that allow them to live more independently. FoodFun has forecasted revenues of $400,397 and $490,000 for years two and three.
1.1 Mission
To create fun and easy-to-use educational software to assist non-readers with developmental disabilities. Our software will provide lifeskills training that empowers the individuals and make them more independent. We exist to produce products that the market wants and to have a positive effect on society.
1.2 Keys to Success
- Create educational software that is fun and constructive. It will likely not be used if the program is not enjoyable.
- You should run a strong campaign to spread awareness about the software among all the schools, brokerages, training centres, and parents.
- For your organization, establish strict financial controls.
1.3 Objectives
- For the first two consecutive years, triple your sales.
- By year four, you can achieve 20% market penetration
- Assist more then 10,000 people with disabilities.