Consumer product innovation in big companies was always uncertain. Incredible new product ideas from big corporations was never really something CEOs and VPs of Marketing could create on their own.
There’s really only one way to compete in big business nowadays, and that’s thinking and operating like entrepreneurs. This is not for your corporate consumer product innovation, however. That’s because all of the individuals who can think like an entrepreneur is starting their own startup, and not looking for corporate work.
Many think new technology is what is leading the change and the cause for the lack of product disruption from large organizations. New product innovation from small companies is everywhere and in every industry. Take cleaning products for your home and check out the startup, Method. They are doing $100 million in revenue today and have over 100 employees, and the company was started by two college students. No technology, just a great product and company.
This is just one example of a small company that is succeeding. Not only are small companies like these succeeding in stealing market share, they are grabbing the smartest thinkers from the best schools. Brilliant new talent do not want to work for boring corporations, they want to join the teams that are trendy, making waves and have the sexy factor that’s attractive to young people.
You know the problem, you understand the value of helping large organizations compete more when it comes to consumer product innovation – but what’s next? Lucky for you, you’ve already accomplished the first step already. It’s knowing that change needs to happen and spreading this to the rest of your organization. To create consumer product innovation, big companies need to know they cannot continue to do business in the way they do – they need entrepreneurial thinking.
Another misconception and thing most should understand is you cannot simply „hire entrepreneurs“ to inject their thinking into your organization. They do not work well under the bureaucratic systems that enable most big businesses to function normally. Under this kind of set up, entrepreneurs get antsy and cannot think as innovatively as they can for their own projects. You need another way to get their thinking.
What you need is a consultant? Not just any consultant, an „entrepreneurial consultant“ who comes to work with you on a new project, pitches their ideas and overall takes ownership over a project as they would a startup. This accomplishes your goal of getting the thinking and their goal of getting a fun project with a comfortable sense of independence and control.
If you want more information about consumer product innovation, make sure to hear from the folks at gamechanger.