VCW for PATHfindr: Increasing Reach with Young People
Strategies to increase PATHfindr's reach with young people through its career counseling services.
How does PATHfindr increase its reach with young people through its career counseling services?
This project addresses the challenge of increasing PATHfindr's reach with young people aged 14-16 in Austria through its digital educational and career counseling services, utilizing the Value Creation Wheel (VCW) framework.
Overview:
PATHfindr, a social startup providing free educational and career consultations, sought to increase its reach among young people in Austria. The team used the VCW framework to develop a comprehensive strategy, focusing on enhancing the company's website and implementing effective outreach methods.
Application and Process:
The process began with a diagnostic phase, analyzing PATHfindr's current operations, the Austrian school system, and the challenges faced by young people. The core challenge was defined: increasing reach with young people aged 14-16. The team then generated ideas and filters through brainstorming, interviews, and primary/secondary research. The POCR method was used to refine these ideas and filters. Through VCF and MCDA, the team narrowed down potential solutions, focusing on adding educational/career information to the website, implementing a referral system, and improving search engine optimization (SEO).
Key Takeaways:
Website Enhancement: Improve the website by adding comprehensive information about the Austrian education system and career paths.
Referral System: Implement a non-monetary referral system to incentivize students to invite their peers to use PATHfindr's services.
SEO Optimization: Enhance the website's SEO to improve its visibility in search engine results and increase organic traffic.
Target Audience: Focus on understanding the needs and preferences of young people aged 14-16 and tailoring services accordingly.
Value Creation Funnel: The VCW funnel and MCDA effectively narrowed down a large number of ideas to the most feasible and impactful solutions.
Conclusion:
The VCW framework effectively guided PATHfindr in developing a strategy to increase its reach with young people, demonstrating the methodology's effectiveness in helping social startups address outreach challenges and improve service delivery.