07 Jul Brainstorming New Product Ideas
Overview
After reading and viewing the module materials, you are now familiar with the product levels (core, actual, augmented) and attributes (quality, features, style, and design) specific to marketing purposes. More commonly, attributes can be described as descriptive (i.e. color, shape, texture, sound, taste), process (i.e. marketing, selling), social (i.e. responsibilities, politics), price (i.e. cost to the manufacturer or consumer), and ecological (positive or negative impact on the environment).
Choose a product or service and try to improve it. Your chosen product or service may be aimed at either consumer or business customers. You might benefit from viewing the ‘SCAMPER’ resources again. Look at each product attribute through different product levels, and ask yourself again and again, how and why? How else can this be accomplished? Why does this have to be this way?
Use the SCAMPER methodology and create a Powerpoint presentation that includes a mind map and analysis of the product life cycle stages.
SCAMPER Methodology
Brainstorm Use the SCAMPER methodology as a checklist of idea-spurring questions. The SCAMPER methodology was originally designed by Alex Osborn and later on rearranged by Bob Eberle, and the version listed below is adapted from Michalko (2006):
Substitute something
Combine it with something else
Adapt something to it
Modify or Magnify it Put it to some other use
Eliminate something
Reverse or Rearrange it
As you brainstorm, ask yourself the SCAMPER questions and document what new ideas emerge.
Reference
Michalko, M. (2006). Tinkertoys, a handbook of creative thinking techniques. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press
Mind Map Requirements
You will submit a mind map for this assignment. If you are not familiar with mind-mapping, do an Internet search on how mind maps look and what they are used for. Visit, for example, mindmapping.com (Links to an external site.) which is designed to inform you about mind-mapping and provide ideas that can help you create and benefit from mind maps. You may use any Internet mind-mapping tool of your choice to present the outcomes of your reflective thinking. You may find, for example, one of the following tools helpful:
https://bubbl.us/02034380658921136
https://www.mindmup.com/
https://www.mindmeister.com/
The central idea of your mind map is your chosen product, bearing in mind that it may also be a service. Build the first seven branches around the SCAMPER dimensions. Continue building branches or nodes around the mind map, with the first layer being one hierarchical layer of thought down. Further layers and subsequent branches are then further levels down in logical thought. Including callouts in your mind map provides meta commentary on a branch or idea. Callouts are placed across the hierarchy of thought, rather than above or below any of the branches. Relationships within mind maps show how concepts link together.
Your mind map is expected to focus on improving a product/service and should contain at least seven branches and two layers in addition to the central idea (first layer). There are no right or wrong answers, and not all the connections and interconnections between different layers, branches, and nods are likely to make sense to an external reader. That being said, within the mind map you are expected to present at least three logical ideas for concept testing.
Assume that one of your ideas proceeds through the new product development process with flying colors and is ready for commercialization. Describe how it will evolve through the product life cycle and how marketing strategies change.
‘SCAMPER’ resources
The readings this week cover the first of the 4Ps the Product. As we learned last week, when we refer to Product we are really referring to the customer solution which could be a physical product, a service, or an experience. As marketing managers work to fulfill a customer need, they will typically flow through the new product development process. Chapter 9 provides more insight into that process and discusses the product life cycle. These readings, along with the videos found in the Web Resources tab, will prepare you for developing your very own customer solution!
Principles of Marketing, 17th ed. (2018) by Kotler, P.T., Armstrong, G.
Chapter 8: Products and Brands: Building Customer Value (exclude p. 234-239)
Chapter 9: Developing New Products and Managing the Product Life Cycle
https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_02.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWy4UgbzCBU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-RaxV2as8s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqnIEtlp9d8
Assignment Rubric
Identification and Analysis of the Main Issues/Problem
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome. Identifies and understands all of the main issues in question. Insightful and thorough analysis of all the issues.
Answers to Questions
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome. Answers to questions are clear throughout. Connection with class and study material goes well beyond the obvious connections among ideas; demonstrates insight and original thinking. Content knowledge is used correctly.
Strategy Choice and Justification
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome. Comments on Effective Solutions/Strategies Scenario and underlying assumptions are well documented, logically reasoned and appropriately applied. An appropriate, reasonable strategy is selected and successfully developed.
Style and Mechanics
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome. Solution is presented in a PowerPoint file. Chooses words for their precise meaning and uses an appropriate level of specificity. Content fits the audience and purpose. Sentences are clearly structured and contain proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
