20201111: World We Imagine Part 3
SMART Person Group (SPG)
We, here at
SMART Person Group (SPG), recruit our members from around the globe and from
all parts of society. We strongly believe that tough, world-wide challenges will
only be solved by inclusive, thoughtful “global citizens”. Our current mission
is to end economic suffering through personal financial responsibility. To this
end, we created a SMART Person personal finance smart-phone application. SPG’s
strengths are in technology, finance, and media; modern tools solving ancient problems is our motto.
Like millions
of Buddhists around the world, we believe that suffering is rooted in ignorance and desire. Our app revolves around addressing these two problems.
First, we defeat ignorance by
providing education. We reached out to celebrities and they helped us film
short, but highly entertaining and memorable videos. Each video presents a single
financial “hack” or life tip. We have already created 200 episodes. Some of our
featured topics include: Building a Budget,
Living within Your Means, and Saving for a Rainy Day. America Ferrara
is short, so we humorously connected her height to how much to use a credit card
in our Dangers of Credit Cards episode.
Dr. Anthony Fauci graciously spoke in Financially
Surviving COVID-19; it has already gone viral. This catalogue of videos is quickly
accessible from the app. We only accept advertisements for firms recognized for
their CSR efforts.
Second, we
defeat desire by promoting a
non-consumerism lifestyle and managing expectations. Our video library also
includes content concerning stress management tips, meditation, and the joys of
the immaterial. Our collection of inspirational acts of charity stories is
impressive. We are passionate about promoting the good already being done in the world. Demagogues and alternate
truth thrive in darkness and fear.
However, video
content is not enough. The research proves that specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based (SMART) goals are the best. The
app features a tool to help the user create SMART financial goals. SPG believes
the stress and suffering associated with untimely financial disasters can be
mitigated by having a SMART savings account. We know the pride and confidence one
gets from saving for a really big purchase. We lower global suffering by
spreading these joys. The app can be configured to automatically deduct a
pre-selected percentage from the user’s checking account monthly. These funds
can be placed in a regular savings account with SPG or invested in a CSR firm.
If users deposit funds with SPG, we operate their accounts like any bank would and make money that way. We will generate additional revenue by selling non-intrusive advertisement time before each video is played. We use the YouTube model here. However, we have a "premium account" available where users pay us a monthly subscription fee. We treat these premium users as partners and they're given special perks. For example, premium users will get to chat live stream with a featured social-media influencer.
The work is
far from over. SPG is currently seeking alliances with YouTube, Google Search,
and Facebook. We’re working on spreading the word as widely as possible.
However, we still need additional funding. We want to increase our presence in
under-advantaged communities and schools. Anima Mundi Development Partners
should partner with SPG because we’re already working toward the same end.
Several of our users already invest in AMDP companies; we use the same measure
of CSR to recognize good investment opportunities.
Money is the root of all evil is a popular and enduring sentiment.
However, SPG chooses to follow a different interpretation: money is a carrier, a conduit, a current or a currency that carries the
soul, or can. Lynne Twist said these words and we agree with her. Once
understanding is achieved, money becomes a tool you can put to work for you. If
enough people believe, money will be humankind’s greatest invention. Support
SPG and our app and help us end suffering.
Dennis, I love that you incorporated so many of this semester's reading form our WRIT 340 class into your writing and thoughtful argument on what you can do to make our world better. The app idea sounds fascinating and very interesting, I particularly like the influencer model that you have created, where I think it might as well be the most beneficial way to influence users and the general public. What I would encourage you to think about is how the app can maintain profit -- I understand that you mentioned a percentage of users' checkings would go back into investing/placed into savings, could the money generated be from service charges/fees? Commission/percentage of earned investments? Or what else? Fantastic writing.
ReplyDeleteHi Dennis, I think this is a really great idea. Apps are a great way to be able to efficiently connect to so many people. In your pitch you explain your mission, but I am not sure exactly who your demographic is. I'm not sure if your app is designed for everyone or specifically a certain group of people. I think it might be good to start small and grow. I think the investing in a CSR firm is a good idea, maybe also add in social enterprises--they are different. I agree with Travis about communicating how the app will be profitable, especially since it is a pitch. Overall, really interesting idea and I can't wait to hear the finished product.
ReplyDeleteI love that you mentioned America Ferrara and Fauci; it kept me wanting to read more. Your mission is clear, but I agree with Rachel that the target demographic is unclear. If you want to market it to developed countries, how would your app differ from the other savings apps on the market? Is there something in particular that would be attractive to consumers? If your market is developing countries, one issue could be the lack of widespread phone usage. If the country is poor enough, the lack of money flow would be an issue in itself. I think addressing that would make your pitch much more persuading. Great work!
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