1) Imagine you are the product manager for one of your favorite lines of clothing, foods, vehicles, or other products. You have what you believe is a fantastic new-product idea for an addition or revision to your product line. Write a summary outlining the seven stages you intend to work through in developing your idea, including specific, detailed actions you will take within each stage,
2) Look at the Oreo product line. Why are there so many products? What purpose does this variety serve? 3) Agree or disagree with the following statement: I tip for service based solely on the amount of the bill, not on things like quality of service, timing, etc. Discuss or make a list of the reasons why you agree or disagree.
4) Discuss a brand to which you are loyal. Why are you loyal to the brand? How does the brand contribute to your loyalty? 5) Why are safety statements important on packaging? What might you add to product safety statements?
6) Success and failure are always possible outcomes of new product development. Describe two factors that may lead to success and two factors that may lead to failure of a new product. 7) Ethical considerations of new product development include avoiding violations of patents, trademarks, and/or copyrights. How can marketing and R&D departments work to make sure that they do not violate these standing rights?
8) Explain the product life cycle. How and why might it change based on certain criteria?
9)From a consumer perspective, what motivates you to try a new product? What new products have you tried in the last year? Did you continue to purchase them after the initial trial?
10) Which one do you think is better: Developing a product for a local market and then adapting it for global markets, or developing a product with the intention of worldwide distribution from the very beginning? What are the pros and cons of each approach?
Discussion question
Exceptional Versus Poor Service
Consider service variability instances where you were a customer and noticed exceptional service and poor service. For each instance, answer the following questions:
- Were you surprised?
- What specifically made you notice?
- Have you had this experience before with this company or another company?
- What response did you have? For instance, did you compliment? Tip? Complain? Do nothing? And why?
- If you were the company owner, what kind of training program would you develop to address the poor service you experienced? What might you implement as a reward for exceptional service? Why?