The following is a sample Client Assessment Form
Download a Blank Client
Assessment Form Here.
Download a Sample
Funnel Chart Here.
I. Background
A. Client Name and Address
Wilbur Shirttail, 241 Anywhere St. Nowhere, US
B. Business Name and Address
Same as client address
C. Overview of Product/Service
Client has invented an Electric Fork. This is a device for automatically
feeding handicapped people who cannot feed themselves. Client has
built a working prototype. He has also demonstrated the prototype
to a hospital administrator
D. Last Review Summary
This is the initial BML Client review for Mr. Shirttail
II. Clients Goals
A. Are you sure you want to start a business?
So you have an idea-- now what?
First: Identify your Goals
1) I want to build a business around my idea
2) I want to sell the idea to someone else
3) I want to give the idea away for the good of the community
4) I just want it put into practice I don’t want any money
for it.
Our clients have identified all of the above as their goals. What
do YOU want to do with your idea? Your goals will help determine
what you do next and when you do it—
B. Commercialization
Client wishes to commercialize the product. He has no idea of
how to proceed. He will probably not wish to build and market the
product himself but will seek a buyer for the technology.
C. Licensing
The client does not wish to license the product
III. Maturity of Project
A. Marketing Circle
The client has done no marketing analysis whatsoever excepting
his presentation to the hospital administrator who was not impressed
due to an unfortunate equipment failure.
1. Voice of the Customer
The client has shown the product to a disabled patient, his wife
who is a nurse and a hospital administrator
2. Competitive Analysis
None so far
3. Market Research
None so far
a) Market Size
b) Market Segmentation
4. Marketing Strategy
Not considered yet
a) Market Channel Identification
b) Promotion strategy
c) Branding
B. Product Circle
1. Product Prototype
Mr. Shirttail does have a working product prototype however it
has some technical problems that have been identified and need fixing.
It has not been thoroughly tested by the kind of handicapped people
who would actually use the product.
2. Engineering Model
none
3. Manufacturing Plan
none
4. Intellectual Property Status
Mr Shirttail has made a notebook reference however he has neither
drafted nor filed any patent applications with the USPTO or any
foreign patent office
5. Regulatory Requirements
It is not clear whether this device will require FDA approval.
It will probably need UL approval.
C. Business Circle
1. Manufacturing Cost Analysis
Depends on the preparation of a manufacturing plan
2. Financial Analysis
Depends on the completion of the previous circles
a) Pricing
3. Business Plan
Depends on the completion of the previous circles
Overall Status Indicator
This product is in early stage Beta at best and might be considered
still in Alpha. Other Alpha opportunities for the technology have
not been defined or explored.
IV. BML assessment of client needs
A. Marketing Circle
A preliminary overview of the market space and competitive analysis
is called for. The customer needs to be identified and distinguished
from the end user as it might be a hospital or nursing home, not
the patient who uses the device. Competitive methods of feeding
the disabled
B. Product Circle
Since the client wishes to sell the rights to the product he must
first establish legal title to them by filing a patent application.
C. Business Circle
Potential buyers for this technology need to be identifier. The
competitive analysis discussed in A might be a good start at identifying
those companies who are already players in this market and might
be interested in enhancing their product lines.
V. BML Recommendations
A. Client should
Client should draft a provisional patent application with BML help
B. BML should
prepare a market overview and competitive assessment for this client.
If the results are favorable, BML should help identify potential
buyers for the technology and brokers who can access them.
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