Since Rapa-OT team had not yet begun drafting a business plan, we shared some basic guidance regarding necessary elements in a business plan, such as how to define end customers. Based on their project description, they focus on increasing the production of rapamycin, which is a kind of antibiotic commonly used in clinical. Thus, their end customers could be the patients who need quick treatment. We also shared some analysis tips which helped us a lot when writing the business plan, like “PESTEL”( political, environmental, social, technical, economical, and legal) . We used our examples of PESTEL to demonstrate what it is and how to use it. For instance, the social issue includes the market needs. So it is vital to know the social trend of the market need, which would inspire them about how to further proceed with their social research.

Rapa-OT team had trouble gathering more completed questionnaires that they only received 50 samples so far. Surely we stood out to share our tips, like some verbal ”tricks” and body language, and also help spread their questionnaire online since we had achieved success in receiving 600 more completed questionnaires in two days. To avoid future unnecessary failures, one of our members also shared his failure stories about distributing questionnaires, which could help Rapa-OT to learn the lesson.

We provided some advice on choosing derivatives to prepare for their fundraising activity. According to our research, we realized that bags are more popular than other derivatives and we would also sell laser bags. Thus, we suggested thery design their customized bags as well for fundraising. They agreed and desided to design canvas bags with their logos painted. For their reference, we shared the Rapa-OT team the online purchasing link to merchandise utilized for fundraising.

To show the support to each other, we followed their WeChat official account: Rapa OT and they did the same in return. In addition, we recommended our followers and our friends to follow them and enlarge their influence.

In the beginning, we have some ideas about using eco-friendly packages for our products. The Rapa-OT team agreed that it was a great idea, however, they also pointed out that it will require a higher cost than other traditional packages, which might discourage our potential customers. They suggested that the “eco-friendly package" was not that "hot" in the fishing market, customers will take the price into consideration rather than “eco-friendly”. As a startup, we took their advice and then we decided to use a traditional package for our products.

Before this meetup, we received their online survey and were quite impressed by the questions listed which were well organized with a certain logic. Per our enthusiastic request, the Rapa-OT team demonstrated how they built the initial survey structure and how they troubleshoot the survey prior to its distribution. Regarding the interview with experts, the Rapa-OT team also suggested that we shall discuss more closely with the wet team to seek their perspectives before we talk with experts.

Our team had a lunch seminar with the CariesFlor team and we both enjoyed it a lot.

Of all the derivatives, we recommended them some of the best-selling ones, for example, laser bags, keychains and caps. Based on our experience, the customized bags shall be a must-have. They took our suggestion and decided to sell canvas bags. Surely, we shared with the CariesFlor team the online purchasing links to merchandise utilized for fundraising.
In addition, our “sales champion” also shared her successful sales experience and hoped these could contribute to CariesFlor’s fundraising activity.

They asked us about their experience with WeChat Official Accounts and we helped them forward their WeChat Official Accounts to other group chats and individuals.

Since one of the CariesFlor team had the experience of making videos, we invited him to share some tips about making the promotion video. He recommended that we could present our promotion video in the form of a story. Videos need to be engaging and educational. Their promotion video last year was about treating Parkinson's. The story of the video was very cool and he also gave us some advice on planning the scripts, et al.