Talk:Conservation Entrepreneurship/Assignments/Projeto Iauaretê/Value Proposition/What is our product?

I posted a more dramatic presentation of our product. I think if we are actually going to sell this, we need to make it interesting and attractive. What we are really selling isn't just eco-tourism. People can get that anywhere. What we really want to sell is an experience, an opportunity to go to the jaguar's natural habitat and to take an active role in helping with its conservation as the customer simultaneously learns and interacts with the indigenous communities that make their living in and around jaguar habitat. If we can sell this, I think we will have much greater success with our business. --Kifaro50 00:13, 1 March 2009 (UTC)

Our product should go a step further to address the erudite characteristics of such a venture. Too often, I think, ecotourism products are geared toward westerners who can afford steep prices. Though this is economically revolutionary for many communities in which these ecotourism ventures take place, it seems unfair to exclusively offer this product to rich eco-minded people from abroad. To better address the conservation ethic within Brazil, and to advance opportunities for poorer, more local supporters of ecotourism and conservation in general, I suggest we think of a way to sponsor 2 high school graduates from Brazil each year to participate in this 9-day package. Maybe we can use proceeds from the sale of photographs taken at Projeto Iauaretê, as well as grant monies, to supplement fundraising efforts from the graduates in order to finance their trip. Ideally, these students will be selected based on their contributions to conservation in their communities. Bp 02:20, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

I think the point being brought up here may be valid but really it depends on the focus we are going for with the project. I think Emiliano has one idea for it and the idea you are suggesting here is a different idea, and the focuses are different. One is focused first on jaguar conservation and second on people as a means to achieve that end. The second seems to be focused mainly on people, and with the jaguar conservation as an important, but possibly secondary goal. These seem to reflect the backgrounds of the various people making the suggestions. We can go either direction for the project but we will need to decide as a group (probably weighted heavily by what Emiliano thinks is actually feasible since we're trying to make this a project that actually happens). I think we all need to take a bit of time sitting together to come up with a united vision for this project and then we'll really be able to move forward with these parts. --Kifaro50 02:03, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Hi guys. I liked the edits and the ideas. Mira I think you have mentioned something really interesting about financing undergrads. We will talk about this. But we have to see the it this will make the main objectives inviable first. Lets talk about this more. but I think the idea is really good.Emiliano 02:20, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

Guys remember that the goals are: Jaguar conservation but also social development and empowerment. My view is that this will only work if we can do both.Emiliano 02:20, 2 March 2009 (UTC)

To the point that these are separate ideas: I don't think so. The product is the sci-eco-tourism for conservation of jaguars. The other ideas I, Brian, presented, are simply focusing on who we attract and tweaking the product accordingly. Additionally, adding the component of offering people of lesser means, but who are deserving of such experiences is another layer, but not different. These all can work in accord, creating a dynamic relationship that is unique and appeals to a segment that can sustain the business. Bp 02:25, 2 March 2009 (UTC)