Lead user

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Lead user is a term developed by Eric von Hippel in 1986. His definition for lead user is:

1. Lead users face needs that will be general in a marketplace – but face them months or years before the bulk of that marketplace encounters them, and
2. Lead users are positioned to benefit significantly by obtaining a solution to those needs.

In other words: Lead users are users of a product that currently experience needs still unknown to the public and who also benefit greatly if they obtain a solution to these needs.

[edit] See also

• User innovation

[edit] External links

• Eric Von Hippel's books on user innovation, available under the creative commons license.