GM. This is Needs to Exist (aka NTE), this one to master your Slack workflow.

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• Spot that Startup Idea

AI Simplifies Slack. You Stay Focused

Inspired by this tweet

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The One Liner

AI simplifies Slack. You stay focused.

The 140 character tweet (or X) version

Overwhelmed by Slack messages? Get bi-daily summaries and AI-suggested replies for key messages. Stay updated and respond in one click.

The Longer Story Version

The Problem

Slack is a double-edged sword. It keeps your team connected, but it also keeps you distracted.

Ever feel like your day is just clicking through channels, responding to pings, and chasing down context?

You’ve got important work to do, but Slack doesn’t care. It’s noisy, constant, and never-ending. And worst of all, important messages get buried.

It’s not sustainable. You need a system.

The Solution

Imagine if Slack worked for you, not the other way around.

Here’s what this AI-powered assistant does:

1. Bi-Daily Summaries
   Twice a day, it scans your Slack, picks out the key stuff, and sends you a clean summary. No fluff, no nonsense—just what you need to know.

2. Smart Replies
   Got important messages? The AI suggests context-aware replies you can send with a single click. Think of it as autocorrect for your work life.

3. Customizable
   Prioritize specific channels, keywords, or people. Adjust the tone of responses. It adapts to your workflow, not the other way around.

With this, you stay in control of your Slack without letting it run your life.

How We’d Build It

Here’s the MVP playbook:

• AI Brains: GPT-4 for summarization and smart reply generation.

• Slack API: For pulling messages, sending summaries, and replying with one click.

• Front-End: A simple app or Slackbot built on Bubble or Glide for easy access.

• Backend Automation: Use Zapier, Make, or n8n to streamline workflows and integrations.

• Data Visualization: Add a Notion or Airtable dashboard for tracking response time, engagement, and patterns over time.

• Optional Power-Ups: Integrate with tools like Grammarly (tone/style checks) or Clockwise (to block Slack-free focus time).

Why It Needs to Exist

Slack is supposed to make work easier. But for most people, it’s a constant interruption machine.

This tool flips the script: You save time, focus on what matters, and never miss an important message.

It’s not about ignoring Slack. It’s about making it work for you.

You don’t need to babysit Slack all day. Let the AI handle the noise so you can get back to doing your actual job.

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Spotting The Startup Ideas

Startup ideas don’t come from staring at a wall, hoping for inspiration. They come from paying attention to the world and asking the right questions. Big shifts = big opportunities. Here’s how to spot them (with examples to get your wheels turning):

1. Follow the Money

When habits change, money flows differently. Some industries lose, others win. Your job? Track where it’s going.

🧠 Ask: Who’s losing? Who’s winning? Where’s the opportunity?

💡 Example:
Fast food is bleeding as people focus on health and calorie-conscious eating. Grocery stores and wellness brands are cashing in.
Build: A meal kit optimized for calorie-conscious shoppers, delivered weekly.

🛠 Tools to Help:

• Google Trends: See rising interest in “healthy meal kits” or “low-calorie snacks.”

• CB Insights: Reports on how markets shift due to new behaviors.

• Numerator: Get detailed consumer spending data.

2. Spot the New Problems

Big shifts create new friction. When people adopt new habits, they face challenges. That’s where you step in.

🧠 Ask: What’s harder now because of this change?

💡 Example:
Remote work solved commutes but destroyed team culture.
Build: A virtual office tool with gamified team-building activities. Think Slack meets Mario Kart.

🛠 Tools to Help:

• Reddit: Check threads like r/Entrepreneur or r/RemoteWork for pain points.

• G2: Read reviews of tools to see what’s missing.

• Product Hunt: Spot gaps in recently launched products.

3. Serve the New Identity

When habits change, so do identities. People want to belong to something that reflects their new lifestyle.

🧠 Ask: What kind of lifestyle does this trend create?

💡 Example:
Eco-conscious living is booming.
Build: A subscription box of sleek, reusable products (water bottles, bento boxes) that make people feel part of the “sustainable chic” movement.

🛠 Tools to Help:

• Substack Newsletters: Find niche communities forming around sustainability.

• Instagram: Track influencers promoting these identities.

• Trends.vc: A newsletter breaking down lifestyle trends.

4. Follow the Time Shifts

New habits = new routines. When people’s schedules change, new time gaps appear. Fill them.

🧠 Ask: How are routines shifting? What new gaps in time or attention can I serve?

💡 Example:
With fewer big dinners, people have more free time in the evenings.
Build: A platform with 20-minute guided courses on hobbies like meditation, journaling, or quick cooking.

🛠 Tools to Help:

• RescueTime: Understand how people’s time habits are changing.

• Hootsuite: Spot engagement spikes on social media to understand new routines.

• Clockwise: Learn how productivity tools are evolving to match new workflows.

5. Ride the Adjacent Wave

Trends don’t stay in one lane—they spill over into adjacent markets. Catch the wave early.

🧠 Ask: What industries will feel this shift next?

💡 Example:
As EV adoption rises, mechanics are struggling to service electric vehicles.
Build: A training platform that helps mechanics upskill for EV repair, complete with certifications.

🛠 Tools to Help:

• Crunchbase: Spot where investors are betting in adjacent markets.

• PitchBook: Look for data on emerging trends and the industries they affect.

• CB Insights: Reports on ripple effects from major shifts.

6. Focus on the Ripples, Not the Trend

The loudest part of a trend gets crowded fast. The real wins are in the ripple effects most people miss.

🧠 Ask: If this trend wins, what happens next?

💡 Example:
As health-conscious eating rises, grocery stores will need to adapt.
Build: A SaaS tool that helps grocery chains optimize layouts for low-calorie or healthy foods.

🛠 Tools to Help:

• Roam Research: Map out second- and third-order effects visually.

• Notion: Brainstorm ripple effects and track your research.

• SignalFire Reports: Deep dives into ripple effects in major industries.

7. Experiment With New Business Models

New behaviors unlock new ways to sell. Don’t just build a product—rethink how to monetize it.

🧠 Ask: How does this change what people value?

💡 Example:
Calorie-conscious snackers don’t want to buy bulk.
Build: A subscription box that curates healthy snacks monthly. Make it easy, convenient, and discovery-focused.

🛠 Tools to Help:

• Teachable: Launch a small, scrappy MVP subscription model.

• AppSumo: Find inspiration in successful product launches.

• Baremetrics: Analyze data on popular subscription services.

How to Start:

1. Notice the shift. What’s changing in the world?

2. Follow the ripple. Where does the opportunity lead?

3. Test fast. Use tools and MVPs to validate quickly.

You don’t need to invent something wild. Just spot the change, build for the gaps, and move faster than everyone else. Now go make it happen

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