New Product Development Strategy

New Product Development Strategy

For most of us, coming up with a creative idea is a painstaking process. I know I get my best ideas while doing something completely unrelated to my business such as walking, gardening or playing golf. But it's not always reliable. The ability to think in practical but creative and original ways is available to everyone.

A local businessman once told me, "Originality is simply having a pair of fresh eyes."

We can nurture the habit of looking at the same old things in new ways- as though we have never seen them before. Here is one way to "get a pair of fresh eyes" and look at your world as if it was brand new:

-= Ask Customers for Their Ideas =-

In emails to my customers I ask them for their opinion on projects I'm contemplating. What an eye opener it is! You and I tend to look at things the way we always have...but ask a stranger what they think and you'll see what you've been missing.

Friend, if you're trying to choose between 2 or 3 projects and aren't sure which one you should pursue send your ideas to your email list and ask them for their input. For responding, you could offer them a discount on the product that is finally chosen for development. This 'system' works for products your developing yourself or for products you might be interested in distributing or representing.

You have the power to make a difference in someone else's life. Your words, actions and attitude affect people around you. If you have ever spent any amount of time with a child between the ages of 5 to 10 the affect you can have on them is dramatic. Smile, and they smile. Frown and they will frown. Act happy and excited and so will they. They will follow your lead in whatever you do.

It doesn't get that much different when we become adults. You can have the same affect on your customers. If you're happy about what you're selling, they will be happy to buy from you. You can affect your customers in positive ways and they will respond by doing more business with you.