Observer: Caleb Johnston

Company: Around Campus

4/14/16

Focus Group Observation Notes

To whom it may concern: These notes are transcribed from the handwritten notes, almost

entirely verbatim, to remove additional opportunities for observation bias.

Note: One respondent never participated in a meaningful way.

Note: The respondents are not statistically representative of the total population.

Total number of respondents: Seven.

Key:

= Note

o = Sub-note

= Important note

Observation notes on the Around Campus Planner

Three out of seven respondents use planners

Ads in planners are okay if the ads are small, and if the format is good

o One respondent said no to any ads in a planner

Four out of seven respondents has seen the planners before

o Seen at Demoss, Jerry Falwell Library, and Convocation (Vines Center)

Too many ads in the planners (noted 2 respondents), and not enough space for notes

Small ads spread through the planner are acceptable

Big ads at the end of the planner are not acceptable

Some ads in the planner were not relevant

None of the respondents would use the current planner

Relevant coupons are needed, but would not guarantee the use of the planner

o Dunkin Donuts

o Local Food (Wards Rd.)

o Jersey Mikes

o Wasabi’s

Respondent suggestion: More professional cover (black or blue) with the LU logo, with

no ads on the front or back cover of the planner (agreed on by other respondents)

Overall view on the planner: Negative/Unneeded unless major changes are made

Observer recommendation: If Around Campus desires to still make use of planners,

redesign the cover to look more professional, with no outside ads, and make use of

smaller and more relevant ads/coupons spread throughout the planner. Distribution

should occur in August to transfer students and first year students at the Freshman

Seminar, Convocation (Vines Center), 1st floor of Demoss (near rooms 1113 and 1114),

and the Jerry Falwell Library.

Observation Notes on UConnection App

App has a “clean” appearance, and straightforward design (positive remarks from

respondents)

Coupons are good, more useful and relevant than Groupon

Friend option is not needed

o Possible incentive plan suggested by respondent: More friends, bigger discounts

with coupons

Observer suggestion: Replace friend option with link to Facebook friends

Two respondents did not have smart phones

Coupons not listed in app but desired by respondents: Walmart (noted by four

respondents), gasoline stations (noted by three respondents, brand not specified), and

other food locales

Format of the app is good

Respondent suggestion: Add a search bar

Four or five out of seven respondents would use the app (keep in mind two did not have

smart phones)

Respondent Suggestion: Coupons should be categorized by food types (agreed on by

other respondents favorably)

Overall view on the app: Positive with slight modification needed

Observer Recommendation: Modify the app slightly via a search bar and food type

categories. The friend option should be removed, and replaced with a Facebook friend

connection if possible. Possibly add more coupons with grocery stores and more local

food establishments. Coupons for Walmart and Gasoline stations are probably not

feasible.