GUEST POST by Robert F. Brands
The end of the year is a great time to reflect on your companies Innovation performance. Did you deliver your innovation goals, maybe the “one new product or service per year”? As a business leader, what are your New Year’s resolutions for your company? As you think about the future of your company and how to make your business grow, implementing sustainable innovation should be your top priority for 2011. Innovation is the lifeblood of any company and the only way to stay ahead of the competition.
Let’s take a look back at the Top Brand Innovations of 2010:
For example, probably the most Innovative company this year: Apple.
April 3, 2010 – Apple’s highly anticipated iPad launches in the U.S., selling 300,000 units that day with approximately 8 million units sold to date (CNET).
June 2010 – The iPhone 4 is introduced, featuring video calling capabilities and a sleek stainless steel design.
June 2010 – Apple updates its latest design of the Mini Mac.
September 2010 – Apple refreshes its iPod line of MP3 players to include a multi-touch iPod Nano, an iPod Touch with FaceTime video calling and an iPod Shuffle with buttons.
October 2010 – Apple introduces the new MacBook Air laptop with the iLife suite of applications and a Mac OS X Lion operating system.
After over 30 years in business, Apple continues to deliver a steady stream of new and refreshed products year after year. It’s easy to see why competitors have to be on top of their game to compete with Apple in the consumer electronics market. It’s Innovate or Perish.
Innovation is key in delivering profitable growth. In my book Robert’s Rules of Innovation, I give the imperatives for how to create and sustain Innovation, and share real life examples of what makes some New Product Development (NPD) teams succeed while others fail.
Don’t get left behind in the New Year; make sure your company has the roadmap to successful innovation implementation.
May your New Year be a happy one!
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