From ideas to implementation

brainstorming graveyard

A post on LinkedIn lamented that “92% of people never act on their ideas.” My immediate reaction was, “that’s probably good because 95% of ideas are dumb.” I admit that I wasn’t participating in the spirit of the post, which was to encourage people to stop dreaming and do something, which is often thought to … Read more

The subtle triggers that ruin customer engagement

beautiful woman listening to a podcast

Summary: Subtle signals can send an emotional message you didn’t intend. Businesses must recognize hidden triggers in e-newsletters, videos, and podcasts to maintain engagement and trust. When my kids were little, I noticed something strange when we watched movies together. Before anything scary happened, they’d already be afraid. They weren’t reacting to what was on … Read more

Sources for new product ideas

Too many choices

In brief … Use data as a source of and a check on product ideas. A customer data platform is a great tool for this. Don’t confuse what people like with what they’re willing to pay for. Look for ways to turn customer interactions into data. Editors’ opinions are great, and the idea from the … Read more

A practical questionnaire and worksheet for new product development

complicated spreadsheet

If you’re not developing new products, your business is on (or soon will be on) a downward slope. The New Product Questionnaire and the Product Development Worksheet in this issue of The Krehbiel Report provides a framework in which to think about new products. You’ll undoubtedly need to adjust it to your situation, but it … Read more