About Chessimo
Chessimo is a comprehensive online platform designed for chess enthusiasts keen on honing their skills.
Offering both mobile and web applications, Chessimo provides a variety of exercises tailored to enhance players' proficiency in chess openings, strategic thinking, endgames, and tactics.
Utilizing spaced repetition methodology, the app ensures efficient learning and long-term retention of acquired knowledge.
Available on iOS and Android devices, Chessimo offers convenient access anytime, anywhere.
My role
As a Head of Product and Product Manager at 8x8 Media AG, I undertook a leadership role in steering the Chessimo project, showcasing my prowess in general management and strategic planning.
The journey commenced with a comprehensive product-market fit analysis, laying the groundwork for a robust business strategy.
I delved into market dynamics, meticulously crafted a business model canvas, conducted a thorough competitive analysis, and employed the 10 P strategy model to ensure a holistic and well-informed approach.
THe image below illustrates the overall strategy for Chessimo based on the 10 P framework: Price, Product, Positioning, Promotion, Presentation, Partner, Place, People, Process and Performance.
Integral to the project's success was the implementation of a financial forecasting model, providing a clear roadmap for sustainable growth. This multifaceted strategy not only validated Chessimo's market viability but also positioned it strategically within the competitive landscape.
Recognizing the importance of brand visibility, I took a hands-on approach in building awareness through weekly blogs and curated social media content. This proactive outreach not only engaged the target audience but also established Chessimo as a prominent player in the market.
The visual representation below delineates the key components of Chessimo's product ecosystem: Train, Check, Play, and Win. Complementary to these, overarching strategic initiatives center around fostering community engagement and implementing gamification elements.
Train: This module is designed to facilitate user engagement through the practice of puzzles using a spaced repetition approach. This method aims to bolster learning outcomes, enhance retention, and ultimately refine users' pattern recognition skills.
Check: Dedicated to assessing user progress, Check allows users to gauge their performance by engaging in gameplay against the AI engine. It provides a comprehensive overview of the user's proficiency following their practice sessions.
Play: The Play feature comes into play when users seek to challenge another player and participate in a game, fostering a sense of competition and social interaction within the Chessimo community.
Win: Positioned as a pivotal component of Chessimo's strategy, Win leverages the proven spaced repetition methodology embedded in the platform. By consistently practicing with Chessimo, chess players enhance their skills, leading to increased victories and accolades.
Ensuring user retention is a paramount objective for Chessimo. The strategic initiatives revolving around community building and gamification are strategically aligned to augment user retention and, consequently, elevate customer lifetime value.
Chessimo aspires to evolve into a thriving global community, serving as a hub where chess enthusiasts worldwide converge to enhance their skills. The concept of gamification within Chessimo entails the integration of positive reinforcement loops, strategically embedded in the product, to motivate and incentivize users to sustain their engagement with the platform.
This holistic approach to product design and strategy underscores Chessimo's commitment to providing a comprehensive and enriching experience for users,
aligning with its overarching goals of fostering a vibrant community and sustaining long-term user engagement.
Outcomes
The main outcomes from Laurens' work at Chessimo are:
- Coded and launched a landing page and optimised conversion rates.
- Validated product market fit through the business model canvas framework.
- Managed advertisement campaigns in Google Ads. Optimised product messaging through AB testing.
- Engaged daily with users on social media through blogs, videos and puzzles.
- Comprehensive market analysis and competitive analysis.
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