How to Deal with New Product Delays… When Throwing Resources at It Isn't the Answer

HOW TO DEAL WITH NEW PRODUCT DELAYS...WHEN THROWING RESOURCES AT IT ISN'T THE ANSWER

Michael A. Dalton, Guided Innovation

If you’ve read past the title of this report, new product or innovation productivity is somehow weighing on your mind.

You’re investing millions in new products, and that’s no problem because you know they are critical to your company’s future. But when it comes down to it, new product delays and a host of associated issues are preventing that investment from delivering the predictable growth you expect.

What’s worse, everything appears fine…until it isn’t. By the time the “all hands” drill sounds, it’s too late. Then as your people are pulled this way and that, the delays actually begin to derail other projects. And you certainly don’t need all the drama as your already busy team is stretched even further. Of course as those delays cascade, it becomes harder and harder to take on new projects – especially the important ones that can move you forward.

That means you’re unable to take on the new programs you were counting on to help accelerate growth. And with every new delay, the knee-jerk reaction is a cry for more resources. And when that happens… well let’s just say the term ballistic comes to mind.

So if more people and money isn’t the answer… then what is?

About the Author

When you realize that the delays in your new product pipeline won’t be solved by throwing even more money and people at it, Mike Dalton is the leading authority on innovation productivity for profitable and predictable new product growth.

Mike and his Guided Innovation Group help companies uncover hidden innovation capacity so they can systematically drive growth.

He has more than 30 years of business and innovation expertise developed across a broad range of industries including 24 years of executive leadership experience within the SC Johnson family of companies - regularly ranked among Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”

He holds an MBA in marketing and finance from the University of Chicago and a degree in chemical engineering and energy technology from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is also an ISCEA Certified Critical Chain Project Management Trainer.

Learn more about Guided Innovation LLC.