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According to National Sleep Foundation a significant number of Americans are sleep deprived (1). Their survey reveals that:• 19% report making mistakes and errors due to sleepiness;• 40% of adults admit that the quality of their work suffers when they're sleepy;• 33% of adults would nap at work, if allowed.Evidence is mounting that sleep—even a nap—appears to enhance information processing and learning (2).Whether we base our opinion on objective data or on personal experience, we cannot deny that we often feel the urge to lie down and rest for a few minutes. We cannot satisfy this urge for several reasons. First, there are usually no facilities that provide a bed or the equivalent to take a nap. Second, people feel embarrassed if their superiors, coworkers, or subordinates discover that they are napping during work hours. Third, some people claim that even if they tried, they would be unable fall asleep. Finally, help is available. Sleepless in New York? Try a nap inside a pod ergonomically designed by Metronaps to maximize comfort (3). Their first daytime sleep center in the U.S. opened in the Empire State Building in 2004. Since then, they have expanded their business to airports. The sleep pods are available for purchase or lease. Metronaps offers franchising agreements to potential investors. Because of the novelty of the business and the lack of competition, the potential for expansion is still unknown. Furthermore, the current pricing structure in N.Y. is very rigid: $14 for 20 minutes. The airport locations offer the choice between 30 minutes, two hours, or a monthly membership. I propose to study the market in Southern California. In particular, three areas could be targeted: medical centers, universities, and athletic facilities. A major medical center in Los Angeles enforces a ban on naps for all personnel, including the night shift, even during their regulatory breaks. Workers, including nurses, are not even allowed to nap in their cars during the breaks. This creates the potential for creating a “napping center” within walking distance from the hospital. High end gyms and spas could attract more members by adding napping pods to their health and wellness facilities. University students are known to be chronically sleep deprived. Here is another potential for use of the Metronap pods, whether on a pay by use basis, or for purchase by the university. I also propose to increase the flexibility of the payment system by allowing potential customers to pay for pod use by inserting a credit card into a device similar to those attached to the photocopy machines at Kinko’s. When the customer leaves the pod, she removes the credit card, and is charged according to usage time. Another potential source of revenue is the addition of a repertoire of music that can be used as background through the headphones already provided by the pods. This project involves data gathering, including surveys, and the application of quantitative marketing tools, e.g. conjoint analysis. References: 1. http://www.squidoo.com/sleeping2. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/Press/sleep.cfm3. http://www.metronaps.com
louyc, Aug 01 2006
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Can be extended to other make shift locations (like Conferences, conventions...)
Sounds viable and it would appear that you have given it considerable thought but have you ever actually slept in one?
I would immediately think of two potential classes of customers - doctors and investment bankers. The service could be coupled with a spa center and offer massage, aromatherapy, etc.
I think it's a great idea. I might prefer a chair conducive to napping in my office, and I don't know if I would put a pod in my office. I would love to get chairs for all of our staff that would recline to support napping during the day, however! I think this idea would be go over well with start-up companies.
I can remember many airports I wanted to sleep in, but felt like it would be unsafe or I would miss my flight. During the work day, a 20-30 minute nap would make a huge difference in the quality of work from a resulting sharper/fresher mind; and reduce traffic accidents on long commutes home. Aren’t pilots on long passenger hauls required to nap in similar pods? Coffee chains could be great locations to install these secure napping pods. They could package it with a caffeine beverage boost as the alarm goes off!
BKeene12, Thank you for your comment. I have not slept (napped is a better word) in one. However, yesterday, I interviewed one of the founders of Metronap. The pods were designed for power naps, not for a good night sleep. Hence, they were conceived for clients to sleep on their back (please see www.metronaps.com for details). In this position hair and clothes do not alter their appearance after the nap. In order to provide more details, my brother and his wife, who live in NY, have been invited to visit their Empire State Building center and try their pod. I'll provide feedback as soon as possible.
I really like this idea, and I think that UCLA Anderson should invest in a nap-pod center for class breaks (since I think I have seen the author of this suggestion in need of a nap during class;-). I also like the idea of the java wake-up bundle. Would there be any patent or branding issues with Metronap? Are you proposing designing new napping pod equipment and starting a services company, or running a franchise of the metronap model using their exisitng equipment design with added features or services?
Dscott5050, You raise the practical aspect of this project. After conducting anectodal surveys in the past 30 days, there is no question in my mind that a large segment of the population is interested in taking naps during their working hours. The question is whether the current model is profitable. We do not have time to design a new model in 8 weeks. However, as Prof Dahan, you, gtotev and Lockareff have suggested, the sleep pod service can be enhanced with lucrative add on services. I think the most viable immediate solution is to run a franchise of the Metronap model using the existing sleep pod with added features and services, as you describe.
This is an interesting idea. Especially in locations where you are forced to wait and have time to kill…like an airport. However, my main concern is that of cleanliness. Unless the bedding, and especially the pillow, is completely changed after each use, I would be more likely to lie on a bench or even the ground for a quick nap. I would be worried about lice, scabies or any other communicable disease that could easily be transferred from one to another. What measures are taken to ensure the sanitation of the facilities?…especially in a city like NY?
Jamie, I share your sanitary concerns. But consider the following facts. First, the pods do not require pillows (See www.metronaps.com for details). Second, an attendant is present at all the current locations, to accept payments, provide ancillary services to the customers, and clean the pods between uses.The company is planning to automate the rental of the pods, via credit cards. Cleaning would be done through contracted services, e.g. the existing personnel at airports. A direct telephone line to a central office could be used to solve problems encountered by customers.While I understand the significant cost saving provided by an automated service, I think that such a change would close the door to the opportunity to provide lucrative services to customers, e.g. a cup of coffee or other drink and food when customers wake up, etc. I see the potential for an interesting marketing study not only for the rental of the pod itself, but also for innovative ideas surrounding the basic service. Even in its most basic form, I think that an analysis of the prices supported by different segments of the market for use of the sleep pod would yield valuable and practical information.
Maybe I'm not understanding the point of this exercise, but I don't see the innovation here. This is an existing product/service. I think it's interesting, but also share the concerns expressed regarding hygene. My question is what new improvement are we adding to make the existing product better?
Visit www.retreatselfcare.com. They have the pods you are interested in and they are located in the LA area!