What is the Product Brainstorming Process & Why is it Important?

How Do We Conduct Our Product Brainstorming?

Brainstorming ideas with no methodical approach may potentially set you back in time. However, our structured product brainstorming session will help you to come up with the best ideas.

Our process includes three specialists to work on a project, consisting of a salesperson, a merchandiser and a designer. Here’s how we conduct product brainstorming at ODM.

1. Deliver a Brief

Our team begins by understanding the project’s scope and requirements. This involves gathering information from the client’s past work and promotions, including any relevant details about quantities, budget constraints, and design preferences.

The brief sets the foundation for the brainstorming process by providing essential parameters.

2. Brainstorm Meeting

We organise a small team of specialists, typically consisting of a merchandiser, a salesperson, and a design project leader. Each member brings a unique perspective to the table.

The brainstorming session is a collaborative and open forum where ideas flow freely. Our merchandiser provides insights into the market and available products, the salesperson offers input on what would resonate with customers, and the design project leader contributes creative concepts.

3. Market Research

After that, the merchandiser conducts research to identify products currently available in China that could potentially match the target price and meet fixed costs.

This research helps us evaluate the feasibility of the product concepts discussed. It ensures that the ideas generated align with market realities.

4. Concept Sketching

The design project leader begins to sketch out initial concepts of the final products based on the ideas generated during the brainstorming session.

These sketches serve as visual representations of the proposed product designs. This step is crucial for translating ideas into tangible concepts.

5. Draft Presentation

The initial concepts are further developed, and a draft presentation is created. This presentation incorporates the client’s branding elements and visual identity.

The presentation showcases the product concepts in an appealing and professional manner. It includes visuals, descriptions, and any relevant details about the proposed products.

6. Client Feedback and Refinement

The draft presentation is shared with the client for review. The client provides feedback and comments on the concepts, ensuring that they align with their expectations and objectives.

This step is essential for refining the product ideas and making necessary adjustments based on our client’s input.

7. Final Output

Following the client’s feedback, the design team revises the presentation and incorporates any requested changes. The final output is typically delivered as a PDF file or another suitable format that can be easily shared with the client or used for further discussions and decision-making.

We make sure our items are branded with the client’s logo. Moreover, we check with production managers that the manufacturing and costs of each product go hand in hand with the client’s budget. In addition, the presentation will include existing items as well as new designs created specifically for our clients.

Why Product Brainstorming is Important?

The goal of this process is to stimulate creativity, gather diverse perspectives, and identify innovative solutions. Product brainstorming is important for business marketing for several reasons:

1. Innovation

It fosters innovation by encouraging the generation of new and unique product ideas. This is crucial for staying competitive in a constantly evolving marketplace.

2. Customer-Centric Approach

Brainstorming helps businesses better understand their customers’ needs, preferences, and pain points. By involving cross-functional teams and diverse perspectives, businesses can create products that resonate with their target audience.

3. Market Expansion

It can lead to the discovery of new market opportunities. By brainstorming, businesses can identify potential niches, untapped segments, or emerging trends that can be leveraged to expand their product offerings.

4. Competitive Advantage

Effective brainstorming can result in products that stand out from competitors, giving the business a competitive edge. Unique and innovative products are often more appealing to consumers.

5. Problem Solving

Brainstorming is a valuable tool for solving existing product-related problems or challenges. It can generate solutions to improve product performance, quality, or customer satisfaction.

6. Cost Reduction

It can lead to cost-effective product ideas. Brainstorming can identify ways to optimize production processes, reduce waste, or find alternative materials, which can lead to cost savings.

7. Marketing Strategy Development

Beyond product ideas, brainstorming can help develop marketing strategies and campaigns that effectively promote and position products in the market.

8. Team Engagement

Involving employees in brainstorming sessions can boost team morale and engagement. It empowers employees to contribute their ideas and fosters a culture of innovation.

9. Risk Mitigation

Brainstorming allows businesses to consider potential risks and challenges associated with new product ideas, helping them develop strategies to mitigate these risks early in the product development process.

10. Long-Term Planning

It supports long-term business planning by identifying potential future product directions and ensuring that the business remains adaptable to changing market conditions.

Do these processes to make decision-making for products/marketing easier:

Six thinking hats was developed by a psychologist, Dr Edward de Bono, the six thinking hats strategy is a solution to parallel thinking within a group and a focused perspective by an individual. It’s an approach to decision-making that can be used by anyone in any field and industry.

Did you know that our in-house design team, Mindsparkz, offers special Product Brainstorming Presentations? Every Presentation will have a dedicated team of sales specialists, merchandisers and designers working on the project!

Brainstorming is important, using a group of creativity techniques designed to generate a large number of creative ideas for the solutions to a problem.  There are 4 basic rules to keep in mind while brainstorming:

Final Thoughts

Product brainstorming is a vital and dynamic process that plays a crucial role in driving innovation and growth within businesses. By gathering diverse perspectives, fostering creativity, and focusing on solving specific problems or meeting customer needs, organisations can generate many ideas for new products, improvements, and marketing strategies.

Moreover, successful product brainstorming extends beyond a single session; it embodies an organisation’s culture of continuous improvement and innovation. Businesses can remain adaptable to evolving market conditions and customer preferences by consistently engaging employees and stakeholders in brainstorming activities.

At ODM, we have significant experience creating and innovating ideas for our customers. Contact us at [email protected] for more information on our product brainstorming process.

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