Product Development Strategy: Launching Your Idea
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Product Development Strategy: Launching Your Idea
The First Steps of Your Product Development Strategy
Write Your Goal Down
Write your goal down in one or two sentences. Keep it short and concise. Then post your goal somewhere where you will see it every day—whether it is at your office, your bathroom mirror, or as a reminder on your phone. Having it around will be a constant reminder of what you want to accomplish this year.
Find a Mentor
Business mentors are a great resource. You can bounce your product development strategy ideas off them and ask for advice when faced with obstacles. It will be even better if you can schedule a monthly meeting with your mentor to help keep you on track and pushing forward. Having a measurable goal and/or accomplishing a task before your next meeting will keep your startup moving ahead.
Start a Business Plan
There are many great business plan outlines online. Find one that fits your specific startup and start filling it out. Get all of your ideas, goals and ambitions out there on paper. You will see your plan start to solidify, and the plan will show you your strengths as well as your areas of weakness. Keep in mind that entrepreneurs aren’t great at every single aspect of business—and asking for help is normal, and extremely beneficial.
Build a Prototype
By now you have an idea, you have probably sketched the product design out a few times, possibly built a rough version out of items around your home and you are ready to get going on an actual prototype. Great!
Depending on your product, 3D printing is an excellent option for initial prototypes. You can get a physical prototype in hours, refine the design and print again. It will take a few iterations to get it just how you are imaging it. Startups all over the globe are now turning towards 3D printing technology at various stages of product development—low cost and quick turnaround times make it ideal for budget conscious hardware startups.
Eventually you will want to build a functional prototype, especially if you are going to move on to patent protection.
Gather Feedback
Take your prototype and start talking to friends, family and people you know to gather their thoughts on your product. In your business plan, you have outlined your target market, so try to find people that fit in this category. Remember that the feedback is going to help you build the product customers want, so the design will most likely change a bit to accommodate customer needs.
Here at 3D Innovations, no matter the stage of your business, we can help you meet your goals. Our team has a proven track record in all areas of product development and we work side-by-side with you throughout the entire design and manufacturing process. Peek at the Case Studies section of our website to see a few examples of the startups we have previously partnered with, and how they leveraged our design and manufacturing expertise to reduce time to market.
Have additional product development questions? Please send us an email at info@3d-innovations.com
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
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Top 3D Innovations Blog Posts of 2018
Get Your Product Idea Off the Ground
Coming up with a product idea is exhilarating—knowing that you have an idea that will help not only yourself, but an entire segment of the population, is the very definition of exciting. So now you have an idea, but you aren’t exactly sure what to do next. Here we have gathered helpful advice and insight into the next stages of your product development journey.
The Benefits of Using 3D Printing Technology in Education
As the cost of 3D printers has dropped significantly in recent years, more schools are able to adopt and incorporate the technology into the curriculum. 3D printing technology promotes active learning and has the power to open a world of career possibilities to students. 3D printing inspires creativity and can help encourage students to explore a career in engineering or science.
What to Expect from Your First Product Development Meeting
Many first-time entrepreneurs want to jump right in and get to work building their product, only to realize that they may not have the exact skillset necessary to develop the product all the way. This is where a product development firm is brought in to aid in the process. It can be nerve-wracking sharing your idea with someone else, and we all like to have a general idea of what we can expect in initial meetings.
Building A Hardware Startup Outside of a Major Tech Hub
We are going to start off with the good news, building a hardware startup outside of a major hub (i.e. Silicon Valley, Boston, L.A.) is possible. In fact, in today’s connected world, these major tech hubs are becoming less and less appealing for entrepreneurs just setting out with their startup. It’s no secret that the cost of living in major tech hubs is astronomical and upfront costs to get your business going also come at a premium. So if you are an entrepreneur looking to launch a product and start a business, but have no desire to pick-up and move, here are a few ideas on how you can successfully launch your hardware startup from your home city.
This past year was fantastic as we helped a number of startups launch their idea and assisted others with various product development and manufacturing solutions. We can’t wait to see what 2019 brings!
Cheers!
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
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How Hardware Startups Succeed—Planning & Research
Develop a Product Requirements Document
If you are just getting off the ground, you are going to need to start this. However, if your hardware startup is up and going, you will want to refine this. Either way, a Product Requirements Document (PRD), is good for business. According to Bolt VC, a PRD adds a tons of value in a few strategic areas: aligning your team, seeing around corners and constraining the design.
Professional Tip: Don’t let your PRD become too cumbersome, the documents that are short and direct are often the most beneficial.
Design a Marketing Plan
Products don’t sell themselves. Maybe you had some buzz around your crowdfunding campaign, you beat your funding goal and now you believe that your product will be flying off shelves—wrong. You need a marketing strategy. Whether you are a one-man operation or there are a handful of people working on your startup—your hardware startup needs a go-to market strategy. Top hardware startups have a solid marketing strategy that is easily communicated.
Professional Tip: This Forbes Marketing Plan template is an oldie but goodie. It has amassed almost four million views since 2013. It’s a clear marketing roadmap that helps you sculpt a true vision of where you see your business going.
Research Partnerships
Product development, manufacturing, distributors, retail, channel partners—all of these need to be thoroughly researched and vetted. Take these next two weeks of December to look into potential partnerships and ideal partners. Learn all you can about them, write questions down, research their past and current clients, try to schedule a meeting—all of this research and face-time will payoff.
Here are a few good business articles to consider:
Asses Past Goals & Make New Ones
Millions of people now are actively making their goals for the New Year—your hardware startup should be doing the same. Top hardware startups take time to define measurable goals. Take time to critically assess your 2018 goals—what went right, where did you misstep, where did you excel, how can you do better in 2019 and beyond? After you have gone through those goals, set new ones and make sure you have a system in place to keep you on track.
Professional Tip: Setting SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely) goals can help you evaluate the goals you wish to set. Think about whether they are realistic. You should write down your goals in your business plan to help keep you on track to achieve them. (Australian Government—Business)
Take time now to plan ahead and align your startup up for success in the New Year.
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
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3D Printing Trends to Watch for in 2019
Higher Quality Metal 3D Printing
Metals were a new frontier for 3D printing this year. Businesses wanted to expand beyond the traditional materials associated with 3D printing and into something more durable. Where 3D printing metal parts were once costly to produce, new software and updated technology saw a decrease in price and a rise in quality.
“Metal printing is ideal for smaller scale production projects as it lends itself to production flexibility but at the same time is perfect for designs with high complexity.
Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is on the rise, as the material is ideal for producing lighter items at higher production rates. A recent trend has been to utilize it for seats on aeroplanes. Upon completion, they weighed in an astonishing 50% lighter than their regular counterparts at only 766 grams. As the technology moves forward, we can expect forms of metal printing to change the dynamic of industries.” (Tech Magz)
We will no doubt be hearing about end-use production and more affordable 3D metal printing in 2019 and beyond.
Increased Productivity
Production speed has been a barrier to 3D printing adoption on a mass scale. However, there has been a push by both researchers and 3D printing corporations to increase production speeds, which will help lower this barrier.
“The University of Michigan created an algorithm that reduces vibrations (a significant reason for the reduction of quality of the finished product). Allowing manufacturing speeds to double while producing the same standard of quality, and most importantly to the manufacturers, with no additional hardware costs involved.
In conjunction, MIT engineers developed a desktop printer that has an output times 10 of anything on the commercial market. Using Polymer, fed through the nozzle with a new form of mechanism, it flows faster, and so what would take hours now takes minutes.” (Gadget Miner)
A Rise in Customization
Customization is the “sweet spot” for 3D printing. Major companies and manufacturers have started to take notice that consumers are interested in more customized product options which 3D printing can deliver. The automobile, aerospace and dental industries have been utilizing 3D printings customization ability for years now, but other industries are also starting to take notice.
“Last year Scultpteo’s annual State of 3D printing study showed that offering customized products’ was a top priority for companies who took the survey.
We have seen evidence of this in 2018 with the likes of Adidas, New Balance and Nike already aligning themselves with both household names in the tech and athletics world to experiment with 3D printing to customize their footwear brands that will be designed to the person’s specific biomechanical data.” (Gadget Miner)
As the software advances, materials expand, demand for customization increases and 3D printing production becomes faster, we will see more adoption of the technology across industries. As always, we look forward to the year ahead and can’t wait to see what advancements await.
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
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Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving
In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, we would like to send a big ‘thank you’ to our valued clients. Our clients are the driving motivation and the reason we do what we do. Each project we work on is unique, just like each client. Seeing the excitement build as we assist in the development of taking an idea and turning it into a real-world product fuels our desire to keep helping entrepreneurs launch their dreams.
We are incredibly grateful for our support network and know that our business would not be where it is today without you.
Thank you.
-The 3D Innovations Team
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
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Harnessing 3D Printing Technology for Business
3D printing has been a favorite tool of makers and product design professionals alike because of its quick turnaround time and the fact that it is relatively cheap compared to all other manufacturing methods. 3D printing technology allows designers to quickly, easily and efficiently design and produce a product prototype for review within hours, instead of weeks. While prototyping is where additive manufacturing is most popular and widely used, the technology is beginning to mature and find its way into manufacturing for end-use parts as well.
3D Printing for Prototyping
Our design team regularly uses additive manufacturing technology during the product development cycle when we are working with entrepreneurs and startups on prototyping and finalizing a product design. 3D printing technology is still growing and maturing, it seems that every week new filaments are being developed and new uses for the technology are being discussed. However, as the technology stands today, its strength, its competitive advantage and its usefulness remain in the realm of prototyping. Visual and functional prototyping are imperative when designing a product and this is where 3D printing excels.
3D Printing for Manufacturing
When it comes to manufacturing, 3D printing technology has an advantage on short-runs, however, at this time, it is not able to compete with other traditional forms on a mass-manufacturing scale.
Due to the speed, quality and cost of additive manufacturing, “the technology is best suited for the production of specialty parts in smaller batches, rather than mass-manufactured goods. However, there is an industry shift towards expanding 3D printing technology to take a more prominent role in mass manufacturing. This technology brings some important qualities to the world of manufacturing that make it ideal for certain jobs. For instance, parts can have complex geometries impossible with traditional manufacturing processes. It is also possible to 3D print goods on demand, allowing for easy creation of custom parts” (Engineering.com).
The 3D printing metal segment is making great strides towards high volume manufacturing and McKinsey forecasts the industry to be worth as much as $10 billion by 2030 to 2035. Read more about developments in the metal 3D printing segment on our blog.
3D Printing Quote
At 3D Innovations, we offer 3D printing services to a range of startups, businesses and makers. If you have a design ready to be printed, and would like a quote, please visit our 3D Printing Quote Request page. We have made the quote process quick and easy. Whether you need a prototype or a short manufacturing run, we can help.
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
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Domestic v. International Manufacturing for Your Startup
Domestic Manufacturing Advantages
Domestic Manufacturing Disadvantages
International Manufacturing Advantages
International Manufacturing Disadvantages
Ultimately the decision to manufacture either domestically or internationally is based on your budget, timeline and customer preferences. With our heightened political climate and a shift in attitude, many people now prefer to buy products that are made in the U.S., and are willing to pay more for these products.
Do you have additional questions about manufacturing your product? Send us an email at info@3d-innovations.com
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
Subscribe to the 3D Innovations newsletter on our Facebook page!
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Get Your Product Idea Off the Ground
Developing a Product Idea Isn’t a “One-Size-Fits All” Process
It is a common misconception that building a hardware startup is a straightforward and linear process: Find a Problem—Design a Solution—Sell the Product—Make Money. In theory this is how it should work, however in actuality, this process is more of a maze with twists and turns on your way to success.
Each product and each startup will face their own challenges on the way to market; by preparing yourself for any hiccups you encounter along the way, you will be in a much better position to successfully navigate them.
Consider and Research Intellectual Property Protection
Navigating the world of intellectual property is challenging for seasoned entrepreneurs, and even more stressful when you are working on designing and launching your very first product. Intellectual property (IP) is often moved to the bottom of the priority list because it is full of unknowns. When is the right time to file? Do I need a design patent? Is a trademark necessary?
With the spread of technology and globalization, a solid intellectual property strategy has never been more critical. Copycat products are popping up at an alarming rate—which is bad for business and dangerous for consumers. Having a strong intellectual property strategy early-on or having the patent process started, is a great way to protect your invention, attract or solidify partnerships and secure funding.
Add Value Through Product Design
The Design Hierarchy of Needs is a good starting point during the product development process. As an entrepreneur, you can look at your product, or product idea, through this lens and determine where your product excels, and which areas need a little more help before your product design is finalized.
Understand Common Startup Roadblocks—Then Avoid Them
We can all learn from failure, we can even learn from other startup’s failures. Making yourself aware of the challenges associated with building and launching a product, you are more likely to make educated decisions that allow you to avoid failure altogether.
Diving into the product development process is an exciting time for an entrepreneur. With the right knowledge and information, you are setting yourself and your startup for success.
We would also suggest you check out these additional blog posts:
Have additional questions about developing your product idea and want to talk to an expert? Send us an email with your questions to info@3d-innovations.com
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
Subscribe to the 3D Innovations newsletter on our Facebook page!
Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn today
FOG Safe Product Development Process – Pacific Business News
We have had the pleasure of working with FOG Safe from the beginning. We have assisted with designs, prototyping, patents, manufacturing and distribution. Below are excerpts from the Pacific Business News article that discuss our product development assistance (read the full article here).
The Product Development Process
We had several stages of printing for prototyping. I worked with a local product development company, 3D Innovations, through the process. He had resources for using the [3D] printer, so after coming up with designs and going through the process, the finished product is very different than the original idea.
Deciding on a Manufacturer
3D Innovations assisted with sourcing and manufacturing. We looked at several locations, we tried the U.S., and eventually we went overseas. We looked at a lot of paper pulp manufacturers and settled on doing it in China. In order for the product to work and relieve the problem, its gotta be worth it for the consumer. People are not going to want to spend a lot, so we needed to keep the cost down as much as possible.
Then there was the whole tooling process, which is preparing the molds — it’s another upfront cost that comes right out of pocket. We have to provide the schematics for the tooling, and once we approve it it’s all on us, we pay that amount even if that mold doesn’t work, so it’s a bit of a gamble. So we have to be 100 percent, and that’s where the 3D printing comes in. We do the printing, and the manufacturer uses those to make the mold.
Patenting FOG Safe Drain Guards
I have five issued patents. It started with getting a patent attorney and doing a patent search. The hope is that whatever they find is different enough in design, and we felt it was worth the try and we were different.
For my first patent to get issued was well over 24 months, probably closer to 30 months. After that, there were deviations of the design. One of the challenges of an inventor is that you can’t come up with a single design, there needs to be variations, because someone can easily copy off of your original design work. And the patent office is very particular, you can’t be broad, you have to be very specific on a type of design. You can’t just think in one dimension, you have to think about how this can be manipulated and changed. It’s a collaboration between the engineer, myself and my attorney, everyone having input.
Interested in learning more about our product development process? Send us an email at info@3d-innovations.com
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
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3D Innovations: Product Case Studies
We are sharing product case studies over on the 3D Innovations website. Within these case studies you will see the type of projects we have partnered on and how customers have leveraged our design and manufacturing expertise to reduce time to market. (Note: This is a small sample of our client projects, as many projects are required to stay confidential.)
The case studies on our website are from a range of industries. Below you can see some of the industries we support and have experience working with.
Developing ideas from concept to product is where our expertise shines. With a knowledgeable team, we help bring products from initial concept to store shelves.
About 3D Innovations
3D Innovations provides product development services assisting companies with all stages of development. Our suite of services includes product design/engineering, prototyping, 3D Printing, additive manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging design, and production manufacturing sourcing. Using our experience in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) processes, we develop custom solutions for clients that accelerate their commercialization activities.
We provide 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping services to quickly validate designs and make improvements for production manufacturing. Experience the benefits of 3D Design and see how 3D Innovations can develop innovative solutions to engineer, design, and manufacture your product.
Interested in learning more about our product development process? Send us an email at info@3d-innovations.com or give us a call 1.808.722.8667 so that we can schedule a meeting to talk about your project’s individual needs and requirements.
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3D Innovations is a Product Development Company – from the 3D Design to a fully functional 3D Prototype & Product.
Subscribe to the 3D Innovations newsletter on our Facebook page!
Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn today