5 Tips to Boost Your Product Innovation Efforts

By: Kathy Kent Toney, President of Kent Business Solutions

Have your product innovation efforts gone the way of the blower dryer pictured above? For those of you who've experienced this, here are five tips you can use to get back on track, all centered around the idea of thinking outside the box:

1. Examine Patents for Inspiration

Search patents in your field. What ideas can you put into practice from active patents that could achieve the same end goal? Are any expiring that you could use that method? Are there some that you could license? 

2. Transform Products through Add-ons

Try combining your product with something different to make something new, e.g., a cell phone with a flashlight, a watch with linked cell phone technology, to name a few.

3. Eliminate to Innovate

Is there a way to remove something that can make your product better? Amazon displaced the need to visit a bookstore, Dell eliminated the computer store, and the Sony Walkman eliminated speakers and record functions.

4. Find a New Use for Your Product

Think of different applications for an existing product. An excellent example of this is De Beers—they decided to focus on engagement rings when they had only produced industrial diamonds. Doing so was a game-changer for them.

5. Borrow Ideas from the Past

Are there any methods, products, or services that were in use years ago in your market space that could inspire developing something new? For instance, speed dating is a relaunch of a Victorian dance format where ladies had cards marked with appointments.

And just because you’ve read through all five, here’s a bonus tip:

6. Bring in Outside Help

If your company lacks bandwidth, contract with someone for identified projects, or if you’re not sure where to start, think about bringing someone in who’s skilled in innovation consulting.
 
Speaking of outside help, if you're feeling stuck and could use some assistance, my strategic partner, Michael Cantu', and I would love to brainstorm some ideas with you!  We can help point out some areas where you could improve your profitability and increase innovation.

Interested? If so, click the button below to schedule a time, and we'll get something on the calendar! 

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