--- title: 1. Developing products for unfamiliar markets description: Removing fear from the "new-new" quadrant of the Ansoff matrix --- [Skip to content](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/1.-developing-products-for-unfamiliar-markets#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![AIM-logo-white.png\]](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AIM-logo-white.png?height=40&name=AIM-logo-white.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - Contact us Contact us BlueHelp® Knowledge Center - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [BLUE HELP](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en?hsLang=en) 2. [Blueprinting Center & Methodology](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en) 3. [How does Blueprinting fit with Minesweeper de-risking?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-does-blueprinting-fit-with-minesweeper-de-risking) # 1. Developing products for unfamiliar markets ## Removing fear from the "new-new" quadrant of the Ansoff matrix How often has your company developed a great new product for an unfamiliar market? If you’re struggling to think of many examples, you’re not alone: Success rates are typically very low. You’re probably familiar with the Ansoff Matrix: While success rates are low when pursuing unfamiliar technologies (right side of matrix), they get *much* worse for unfamiliar markets (top of matrix). ![](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-97.png?width=477&name=image-97.png) To position your company for *routinely* developing blockbuster products, you’ll need to change your thinking. First, stop thinking of unfamiliar markets as “new” markets. In most cases, your target market isn’t really “new.”  We prefer the term “unfamiliar” market instead of “new” market: Many B2B companies call a market “new” when in fact they mean, “new to us.” This strikes us as supplier-centric—not customer-centric—thinking. The market was there first. It is the *supplier* that is new. ![](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-98.png?width=300&name=image-98.png)This is good news because it means you don’t have to live with uncertainty. Customers in these *pre-existing* markets are very certain about much you need to learn. And these B2B customers—rich in knowledge, interest, objectivity and foresight—can eliminate your uncertainty. In a Discovery interview, “unfamiliar market” contacts can give you every bit as much valuable information as those in markets you’ve supplied for 30 years. For more on this topic, download our white paper, [*Innovating in Unfamiliar Markets*](https://theaiminstitute.com/library/innovating-in-unfamiliar-markets-how-to-de-risk-transformational-projects/), and view the [Minesweeper Project De-risking video](https://theaiminstitute.com/services/project-derisking-with-minesweeper-software/). In the next 4 articles, we’ll explore… - Why uncertainty is different than risk - Locate landmines early and cheaply - Minesweeper de-risking methodology - Where Blueprinting fits with Minesweeper de-risking   Keywords: risk, uncertainty, Ansoff matrix, unfamiliar market, new market, new technology, Minesweeper, de-risking, landmine, project - [Blueprinting Center & Methodology](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#main-content) - [What is New Product Blueprinting?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#what-is-new-product-blueprinting) - [How is Blueprinting learned and applied?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-is-blueprinting-learned-and-applied) - [Blueprinting Center](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#blueprinting-center) - [Blueprinting E-Learning Course](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#blueprinting-e-learning-course) - [How can I become Certified in New Product Blueprinting?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-can-i-become-certified-in-new-product-blueprinting) - [How does Blueprinting fit with a stage-and-gate process?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-does-blueprinting-fit-with-a-stage-and-gate-process) - [How does Blueprinting fit with strategic planning?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-does-blueprinting-fit-with-strategic-planning) - [How does Blueprinting fit with Design Thinking?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-does-blueprinting-fit-with-design-thinking) - [How does Blueprinting fit with Lean Startup?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-does-blueprinting-fit-with-lean-startup) - [How does Blueprinting fit with Minesweeper de-risking?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-does-blueprinting-fit-with-minesweeper-de-risking) - [How does Blueprinting fit with LaunchStar product launch?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-does-blueprinting-fit-with-launchstar-product-launch) - [What innovation metrics should we use?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#what-innovation-metrics-should-we-use) - [What is "Jobs-to-be-Done?"](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#what-is-jobs-to-be-done) - [Project Teams](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#project-teams) - [Blueprinter® Software](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#getting-started) - [FAQs / General Questions](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#faqs-general-questions) - [Step 1](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#step-1) - [Step 2](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#step-2) - [Step 3](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#step-3) - [Step 4](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#step-4) - [Step 5](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#step-5) - [Software Security and Setup](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#software-security-and-setup) - [Blueprinting Executive Dashboard](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#blueprinting-executive-dashboard) - [Technical Issues](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#technical-issues) - [Blueprinter Updates](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#blueprinter-updates) - [Update Archive](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinter-software?hsLang=en#update-archive) - [Market Segmentation (Step 1)](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/market-segmentation-step-1?hsLang=en#main-content) - [How to conduct secondary market research](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/market-segmentation-step-1?hsLang=en#how-to-conduct-secondary-market-research) - [How to engage industry experts](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/market-segmentation-step-1?hsLang=en#how-to-engage-industry-experts) - [How to segment markets](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/market-segmentation-step-1?hsLang=en#how-to-segment-markets) - [How to select your target market segment](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/market-segmentation-step-1?hsLang=en#how-to-select-your-target-market-segment) - [“How B2B” is your market segment?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/market-segmentation-step-1?hsLang=en#how-b2b-is-your-market-segment) - [Discovery Interviews (Step 2)](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#main-content) - [How to plan Discovery interviews](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-plan-discovery-interviews) - [Preparing your interview team](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#preparing-your-interview-team) - [Convincing customers to be interviewed](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#convincing-customers-to-be-interviewed) - [How to handle confidential info in an interview](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-handle-confidential-info-in-an-interview) - [How to conduct a Discovery interview](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-conduct-a-discovery-interview) - [Finding & using a digital projector for interviews](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#finding-using-a-digital-projector-for-interviews) - [How to conduct a customer tour](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-conduct-a-customer-tour) - [How to debrief & follow-up a Discovery interview](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-debrief-follow-up-a-discovery-interview) - [Engaging your sales colleagues in interviews](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#engaging-your-sales-colleagues-in-interviews) - [Engaging distributors in interviews](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#engaging-distributors-in-interviews) - [Interviewing customers down the value chain](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#interviewing-customers-down-the-value-chain) - [How to interview remotely with web-conferences](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-interview-remotely-with-web-conferences) - [How to interview at trade shows & other venues](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-interview-at-trade-shows-other-venues) - [Interviewing in different global cultures & languages](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#interviewing-in-different-global-cultures-languages) - [How to listen well during customer interviews](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-listen-well-during-customer-interviews) - [How to probe during customer interviews](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-probe-during-customer-interviews) - [How to gather economic data during interviews](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-gather-economic-data-during-interviews) - [How to create & use Current State questions](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-create-use-current-state-questions) - [How to identify Must Haves (MH)](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-identify-must-haves-mh) - [How to select Top Picks (TP)](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-select-top-picks-tp) - [How to use Trigger Maps](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-use-trigger-maps) - [How to form Outcome Statements](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/discovery-interviews-step-2?hsLang=en#how-to-form-outcome-statements) - [Preference Interviews (Step 3)](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/preference-interviews-step-3?hsLang=en#main-content) - [How to prepare for Preference interviews](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/preference-interviews-step-3?hsLang=en#how-to-prepare-for-preference-interviews) - [How to schedule Preference interviews](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/preference-interviews-step-3?hsLang=en#how-to-schedule-preference-interviews) - [How to conduct a Preference interview](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/preference-interviews-step-3?hsLang=en#how-to-conduct-a-preference-interview) - [How to analyze your Preference data](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/preference-interviews-step-3?hsLang=en#how-to-analyze-your-preference-data) - [How to build your Market Case](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/preference-interviews-step-3?hsLang=en#how-to-build-your-market-case) - [Rest of Blueprinting (Steps 4-7)](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/rest-of-blueprinting-steps-4-7?hsLang=en#main-content) - [How to build & use a value calculator](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/rest-of-blueprinting-steps-4-7?hsLang=en#how-to-build-use-a-value-calculator) - [Blueprinting Step 4: Side-by-side testing](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/rest-of-blueprinting-steps-4-7?hsLang=en#blueprinting-step-4-side-by-side-testing) - [Blueprinting Step 5: Product Objectives](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/rest-of-blueprinting-steps-4-7?hsLang=en#blueprinting-step-5-product-objectives) - [Blueprinting Step 6: Technical Brainstorming](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/rest-of-blueprinting-steps-4-7?hsLang=en#blueprinting-step-6-technical-brainstorming) - [Blueprinting Step 7: Business Case](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/rest-of-blueprinting-steps-4-7?hsLang=en#blueprinting-step-7-business-case) - [Everyday VOC](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/everyday-voc?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Overview of Everyday VOC](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/everyday-voc?hsLang=en#overview-of-everyday-voc) - [Everyday VOC probing skills](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/everyday-voc?hsLang=en#everyday-voc-probing-skills) - [When to employ Everyday VOC](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/everyday-voc?hsLang=en#when-to-employ-everyday-voc) - [After your Everyday VOC call](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/everyday-voc?hsLang=en#after-your-everyday-voc-call) - [Minesweeper® De-risking](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#main-content) - [What is Minesweeper Project De-risking?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#what-is-minesweeper-project-de-risking) - [Step 1. Brainstorm Assumptions](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-1-brainstorm-assumptions) - [Step 2. Consumption Chain](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-2-consumption-chain) - [Step 3. Individual Ratings](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-3-individual-ratings) - [Step 4. Team Ratings](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-4-team-ratings) - [Step 5. Review Certainty Matrix](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-5-review-certainty-matrix) - [Step 6. CheckPoint Plan](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-6-checkpoint-plan) - [Step 7. Management Report](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-7-management-report) [![aim-logo@2x.png](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/aim-logo@2x.png?width=272&height=112&name=aim-logo@2x.png "aim-logo@2x.png")](https://theaiminstitute.com/) The AIM Institute Copyright © 2026, The AIM Institute