Exclusive app helps women network in a way that works for them

Challenge

Our challenge? To meet women’s specific networking needs with a state-of-the-art digital solution:

• A solution that facilitates meaningful connections.

• A tool that digitally brings women who are a match for the event already as close as possible.

• A solution that removes all barriers for women who need a boost.

Moreover, our team had just 12 weeks to bring this solution to market, without disregarding Bits of Love’s process.

Solution

When producing digital solutions, Bits of Love stands by its five crucial and standard phases. Despite this project’s shorter time to market, we didn’t deviate from our usual roadmap.

During the discovery phase, we did a very short but efficient deep dive. We identified the challenges and needs women experience when networking. We identified the shortcomings of existing networking apps and considered possible solutions. 

Moreover, fundamental to Bits of Love in this discovery phase is that we also take the time to identify potential limitations. A solid constraint for this project? Having more than 1,000 women simultaneously connected to the wifi network at Bruges’ Concertgebouw was not feasible.

Conclusion? The app had to be broadly available offline. 

In the define phase, we developed a detailed workflow and created wireframes to visualize the structure of the Better Together app. 

UX and UI always remain the leading factors in such a project. The aim was nothing less than to build a design that meets the needs and expectations of women while also being very user-friendly and intuitive.

For the visual design of the app, we were inspired by Generation WOW’s brand book and designed an attractive and consistent layout for the app.

During the development phase, we built the technical foundation of the Better Together app:

• We chose React Native as a development platform and integrated a Craft CMS to manage app content. This enables the Generation WOW team to manage news, programs, and push notifications themselves easily.

• We sought and found technical solutions and workarounds (e.g. regarding data retrieval) to make the app available offline and still deliver an exclusive UX. 

• We managed to integrate animations into the app smoothly. 

• We chose to implement a One Time Password for login. This approach eliminates the need to create an extended account while still retaining login credentials when switching to another device.

Eventually, during the deployment phase, we made sure that the app met all conditions to be included in the Apple and Google Play Store. Because we always go end-to-end and are involved with heart and soul from idea to implementation.

It took our team 12 weeks to realize this project, which means we only had half the time we usually take to realize an app like this. Every hour counted. Thus, our project manager perfectly directed and tightly managed everything to meet the deadline flawlessly.

Result

The Generation WOW app was available in the Google and Apple app stores seven weeks before the Better Together event. 

In the weeks leading up to the event, the app already offers all ticket holders a pre-event experience that makes them even more eager to attend the Better Together event:

• They can consult the program, discover more info about the speakers in advance, and have access to Generation WOW’s latest news about the event. 
• They can also create their profile in advance and share both professional and personal information with other participants. 

What’s in it for organizer Generation WOW? They can manage their community of attendees weeks in advance to increase participants’ interest in the event and share relevant messages and news. This way, the app extends the life of the networking event from a few hours to several weeks.

In addition to that pre-event experience, the app offers a range of features that help women network and connect on the day itself but in a way that works for them. 

They can filter the list of attendees based on personal interests, which is a major game-changer in the way women want to network.

App users can save women or profiles they meet at the event in their favorites list. 

If they meet someone they find fascinating, they can easily scan that person’s QR code to find them immediately in the app.

Women who could use some extra help and guidance in networking can also sign up for the ​‘networking module’. Based on additional information, the organization will match them with nine other women. Each group will be assigned a host to help each team member network. This will give networking participants a soft landing and allow those ladies to take full advantage of the networking event in a way that works for them. 

Conclusion

The Generation WOW app fits perfectly into Bits of Love’s long line of unique and highly relevant digital solutions. This tool is another realization defined by the company’s unique DNA profile.

Our powerful code is the building block of every solution. Our team guarantees state-of-the-art development and very tight project management. Also, the end-user (prototype, UX, and UI) is our guiding light in everything we do.

This also leaves its mark on the Generation WOW app and all our digital creations:

• We at Bits of Love are a proactive and innovative digital solutions provider. Our team constantly scans the market for synergies and opportunities to create novel solutions that address specific needs. For instance, we recognized the need for women to network differently and developed the Generation WOW app — the first of its kind that removes the obstacles women face when networking.

• Our approach is pragmatic and no-nonsense. We believe in a combination of creativity and realism to deliver great results. We completed the development of the Generation WOW app in just 12 weeks, demonstrating our efficient and effective approach.

• At Bits of Love, we value style and aesthetics. Our team pays close attention to the look and feel of our solutions. The Generation WOW app welcomes users in a pleasant and stylish environment that aligns with Generation WOW’s brand new corporate identity.

• We believe in the power of hybrid solutions that combine the strengths of people with the capabilities of digital tools. The Generation WOW app supports women to network the way they want, while also helping organizers provide a successful networking experience for women with networking fears.

• Finally, we at Bits of Love do not take shortcuts. We are committed to completing all stages of the development process: discovery, define, design, develop, and deploy. This ensures we deliver high-quality and reliable digital solutions to our clients.