Let's have some fun and tackle something you've been putting off because it seemed too hard to start.

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Picture this: Joe is a geologist with lots of experience, and he's been thinking about teaming up with his friend Peter, who's an engineer. They want to showcase to the Industry what they can do.

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You can pretend to be Joe or Peter—it's a story for anyone, really. Watch how you can come up with a business idea and plan it all out in just five minutes.

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Prompt:

“My name is Joe. I am a seasoned senior exploration geologist in the oil and gas industry, with expertise spanning technical and commercial domains. My primary skill involves analyzing cross-domain information to conduct portfolio analysis and assemble exploration portfolios for oil and gas companies. Currently, I work part-time, three days a week, and am seeking opportunities to utilize my skills on the remaining two days. I aim to establish myself as a consultant, offering my expertise to companies on a freelance basis. Furthermore, I plan to productize my skills and sell them as turn-key digital solutions. One potential strategy is partnering with my colleague and friend Peter, who has extensive expertise in petroleum and reservoir engineering. Together, we can enhance our portfolio creation services by incorporating comprehensive subsurface modelling. Your task is to help me generate ideas and design a roadmap to achieve these goals. Let's start by creating five alternative value proposition statements. Please provide your input in a table format, listing the value proposition statement and the market segments targeted by each.”

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Output:

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Prompt:

“Great. Now, to develop my positioning strategy, I need a transformation statement for each market segment mentioned in the table above. These statements are key messages designed to entice each market segment towards my offer. Please present the output in a two-column table with 'Segment' and 'Transformation Statement' as the headings.”

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Output:

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Prompt:

“For each market segment, with the above transformation statements, build a customer persona profile, including, name, overview, problem, pains, goal, benefits, trigger, barriers, status quo, context.”

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Output:

Large Multinational Corporations

• Name: Victor
• Overview: Victor is a seasoned exploration director at a global oil and gas corporation, overseeing operations across multiple continents.
• Problem: Struggles to integrate vast datasets from global operations into a cohesive strategy.
• Pains: Data silos, decision-making delays, and missed opportunities.
• Goal: To optimize global asset portfolio and enhance sustainability practices.
• Benefits: Improved decision-making, higher asset value, and sustainability.
• Trigger: New global sustainability mandates.
• Barriers: Organizational inertia, complex regulatory environments.
• Status Quo: Reliance on conventional data analysis and exploration methods.
• Context: Facing increasing pressure to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

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Mid-sized Operators

• Name: Emily
• Overview: Emily is the VP of Exploration for a mid-sized operator with ambitions to expand its footprint.
• Problem: Needs to identify high-potential opportunities with limited resources.
• Pains: Limited in-house expertise, budget constraints.
• Goal: To streamline exploration investments and uncover hidden opportunities.
• Benefits: Enhanced competitive edge, more efficient use of resources.
• Trigger: Recent downturns in oil prices.
• Barriers: Budget limitations, lack of advanced analytical tools.
• Status Quo: Conservative investment strategies, slow adaptation to new technologies.
• Context: Seeking to grow in a highly competitive and uncertain market.

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Independent Operators

• Name: Carlos
• Overview: Carlos is an Exploration Manager at a small, agile independent operator looking to maximize the value of their assets.
• Problem: Faces high exploration risks with limited data.
• Pains: Risk of non-commercial discoveries, limited risk assessment capabilities.
• Goal: To reduce exploration risks and confidently invest in the most promising prospects.
• Benefits: Risk reduction, better investment decisions.
• Trigger: A recent high-profile exploration failure.
• Barriers: Small team, limited access to sophisticated modeling tools.
• Status Quo: Relying on traditional exploration methods and gut feeling.
• Context: Needs to secure competitive advantage through smarter, data-driven decisions.

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Startups and Technology-focused Companies

• Name: Sophie
• Overview: Sophie is a co-founder of a tech startup specializing in innovative exploration technologies.
• Problem: Struggles to penetrate the market with her company's solutions.
• Pains: Establishing credibility, differentiating from competitors.
• Goal: To revolutionize exploration with cutting-edge technology.
• Benefits: Market penetration, growth, industry recognition.
• Trigger: Interest from a major industry player in a pilot project.
• Barriers: High entry barriers, conservative industry mindset.
• Status Quo: Slow customer acquisition, reliance on small-scale projects.
• Context: At the cusp of breakthrough yet facing skepticism from traditional operators.

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Environmental and Sustainability-focused Organizations

• Name: Rachel
• Overview: Rachel is the sustainability lead at an industry consortium focused on reducing the environmental impact of oil and gas exploration.
• Problem: Balancing resource development with environmental conservation.
• Pains: Reconciling industry practices with sustainability goals, influencing stakeholder behaviors.
• Goal: To ensure sustainable and responsible exploration practices.
• Benefits: Sustainability, compliance with regulations, industry leadership.
• Trigger: New environmental legislation.
• Barriers: Industry resistance, lack of actionable data.
• Status Quo: Promoting best practices and sustainability without significant industry buy-in.
• Context: Navigating an industry at a crossroads between profitability and environmental stewardship.

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Prompt:

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“To effectively sell the transformation, I need to make my positioning actionable. Help me apply this positioning to my business through the development of a Big Idea, establishing the Tone of Voice, crafting headlines, and setting pricing strategies.”

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Output:

Big Idea

"Transforming Exploration through Data-Driven Insight and Engineering Excellence"

This Big Idea encapsulates the essence of your consultancy - leveraging deep geology and petroleum engineering expertise to enable oil and gas companies to make informed, strategic decisions in exploration and asset management. It speaks to the integration of cross-domain analysis and the application of comprehensive subsurface modeling to reduce risks and uncover opportunities.

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Tone of Voice

Your Tone of Voice should be:

• Expert: Convey deep industry knowledge and experience.
• Innovative: Reflect a forward-thinking approach to solving traditional problems.
• Confident: Display assurance in the value and impact of your services.
• Accessible: Ensure that your messaging is clear and approachable, inviting engagement.

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Headlines

Crafting headlines that grab attention and communicate your value proposition quickly is key. Here are a few examples tailored to different aspects of your offer:

• For General Marketing: "Redefine Your Exploration Strategy with Industry-Leading Expertise."
• For Services Page: "Unlock the Full Potential of Your Assets with Advanced Portfolio Analysis."
• For Sustainability: "Drive Sustainable Exploration with Our Eco-conscious Engineering Solutions."
• For Technology Solutions: "Embrace the Future of Exploration with Our Digital Transformation Tools."

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Pricing Strategies

Developing the right pricing strategy involves balancing your value proposition with market expectations and client budgets. Consider these strategies:

1. Value-Based Pricing: Set prices based on the perceived value to the client rather than the cost to you. This can be particularly effective for highly specialized consulting services where the return on investment (ROI) can be significant for the client.
2. Tiered Service Offerings: Offer different levels of service or packages to accommodate various needs and budgets. For example:
   • Basic Package: Includes initial portfolio review and analysis.
   • Premium Package: Comprehensive exploration strategy development, including subsurface modeling and risk assessment.
   • Custom Consulting: Fully customized solutions for unique client needs.
3. Performance-Based Pricing: Consider offering a performance-based component, where part of your fee is tied to the results achieved. This aligns your interests with those of your clients and can be particularly attractive to them.
4. Subscription Model for Digital Tools: If developing digital solutions, a subscription model can provide ongoing revenue and align with clients’ preferences for OPEX vs. CAPEX spending.

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Prompt:

“I need to acquire users that match my customer personas. Suggest me ten distribution ideas”

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Output:

1. LinkedIn Sponsored Content and InMail Campaigns: Target specific roles within companies (like exploration directors, VPs of Exploration, sustainability leads) with personalized messages and content that resonates with their challenges and goals.
2. Industry Webinars and Virtual Workshops: Host webinars and workshops on key topics like sustainable exploration practices or leveraging data analytics in exploration strategy, featuring case studies or previews of your digital tools.
3. Partnerships with Industry Associations: Collaborate with industry associations to sponsor events, publish research papers, or contribute to their newsletters, establishing your authority and reaching a broad audience.
4. SEO and Content Marketing: Develop a content strategy focused on keywords and topics relevant to your target personas. Blogs, white papers, and case studies can highlight your expertise and solutions to common industry challenges.
5. Guest Podcasts and Interviews: Appear as a guest on popular oil and gas industry podcasts or online interviews to discuss current trends, challenges, and how your consultancy addresses these issues.
6. Trade Shows and Conferences: Attend and present at industry trade shows and conferences. Consider having a booth or sponsoring a session to increase visibility.
7. Referral Program: Encourage word-of-mouth marketing by establishing a referral program for existing clients, rewarding them for referring new business to you.
8. Targeted Email Campaigns: Use a segmented email list to send personalized content and offers to specific groups within your target market, based on their interests and business needs.
9. Co-Marketing with Complementary Businesses: Partner with companies offering complementary services or products to co-host events, develop joint content, or offer bundled services.
10. Social Media Community Building: Create and engage in online communities on platforms like LinkedIn or specialized forums where professionals in your target market are active. Share insights, answer questions, and build relationships.

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Prompt:

“Summarize the critical features my offering should have to provide irresistible value to users and to distinguish it from existing consultancies or competitors.”

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Output:

1. Integrated Technical and Commercial Expertise: Offer a rare combination of deep geological analysis with commercial acumen, enabling clients to not only find but also effectively exploit and manage their resources.
2. Advanced Subsurface Modeling: Utilize cutting-edge subsurface modeling techniques to provide detailed reservoir characterization, risk assessment, and scenario planning, significantly reducing exploration risks and enhancing decision-making.
3. Customized Digital Solutions: Develop proprietary digital tools and platforms that integrate data analysis, portfolio management, and predictive modeling, offering scalable and customizable solutions that address specific client needs.
4. Sustainability Focus: Embed sustainability and environmental stewardship into your exploration strategies, helping clients navigate regulatory requirements, societal expectations, and future-proof their operations.
5. Actionable Insights: Leverage your cross-domain expertise to deliver actionable insights, not just data, enabling clients to make informed strategic decisions quickly and confidently.
6. Collaborative Approach: Foster a collaborative approach with clients, working closely with their teams to ensure solutions are practical, implementable, and aligned with their corporate culture and goals.
7. Flexible Engagement Models: Provide flexible engagement models, including project-based, retainer-based, and subscription models for digital products, allowing clients to choose the best fit for their needs and budget.
8. Performance-Based Pricing Options: Offer performance-based pricing models where possible, aligning your success with the client's outcomes and building trust and credibility.
9. Continuous Innovation and Learning: Commit to continuous innovation and staying ahead of industry trends, ensuring your clients benefit from the latest thinking, technologies, and methodologies.
10. Global and Local Market Insights: Blend global industry perspectives with local geological and market insights, offering tailored strategies that recognize the nuances of different regions and markets.

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Prompt:

“Now, please provide me with ten ideas for digital products that package our skill sets. These should effectively showcase our expertise and value proposition.”

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Output:

1. Exploration Strategy Simulator: A web-based tool that allows users to input geological data and other parameters to simulate exploration scenarios, helping companies assess potential exploration strategies and their outcomes.
2. Subsurface Modeling Software: Advanced software that provides detailed subsurface models based on geological data, incorporating your unique methodology for risk assessment and asset evaluation.
3. Portfolio Analysis Platform: An online platform that integrates data from various sources, offering comprehensive portfolio analysis with insights into asset optimization, investment strategies, and risk management.
4. Sustainability Assessment Tool: A digital solution for evaluating and improving the sustainability of exploration projects, offering insights into environmental impacts, regulatory compliance, and community engagement strategies.
5. Digital Training Modules: E-learning courses or webinars on topics such as advanced reservoir engineering, exploration strategy development, and sustainability practices in oil and gas exploration.
6. Market Trends Dashboard: A real-time analytics dashboard that tracks global oil and gas market trends, including supply-demand forecasts, price fluctuations, and geopolitical impacts, helping clients make informed decisions.
7. Collaborative Exploration Planning Platform: A cloud-based platform that facilitates collaboration among geologists, engineers, and business analysts, enabling integrated exploration planning and decision-making.
8. Risk Management Framework: A comprehensive digital guide or toolkit for managing exploration and operational risks, incorporating your proprietary methodologies and best practices.
9. Customizable Reporting Templates: A set of digital templates for generating reports on exploration activities, portfolio performance, and sustainability metrics, customizable to meet various regulatory and internal reporting requirements.
10. AI-Powered Insights Engine: An AI-driven platform that analyzes exploration data, historical project performances, and market trends to provide predictive insights, recommendations for exploration sites, and investment strategies.

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As a final step, I requested that the full business plan be turned into a mind map for a clear, consolidated visualization:

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Prompt:

“Consolidate all of the above into a business plan mind map. This should depict all the tasks required across the various areas of setting up the business and navigating towards our goals. Include as many sublevels in your mind map as you deem necessary, and provide your output in markmap.js format”

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Output:

To see the resulting interactive mind map and a demonstration of how you can generate it  click here.

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There you go, folks, a fully fleshed-out roadmap to get your 'JOE, INC.' business off the ground.

I’ve made the ChatGPT conversation public, which you can see in full here: link

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If you're looking to monetize your skills but don't want to deal with any of this tedious stuff, that's precisely where our value proposition lies; we want to facilitate everything for you.

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You bring your skills; we'll bring them to market. All you need to do is start by getting in touch. If you have a product that you believe others may find valuable, I want to collaborate on a case study with you and showcase the journey from zero to hero. Just get in touch!

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