Food Processing - October 2007 - (Page 33)

tional teams: “You must limit the amount of feedback and number of people for each phase of the product development stage,” said one. “They must be led by the proper individual,” said a second. A third noted that such teams “need a system and process for the meetings – all parties need to agree to the process. [Teams provide a] broad base for information hindrances. Someone needs to decide and own it, and everyone needs to buy in. Otherwise, you can second-guess things to death.” Target acquired So, where do our processors turn for information and help in identifying new product ideas once product development goals have been set? In the 2005 and 2006 surveys, about 40 percent and more than 50 percent, respectively, gleaned information and help from their suppliers – either in addition to or instead of relying on internal research. This year, processors continue to rely on the standard input from customers, competitors and industry journals in the research stage of research and development. Of course, sometimes it just takes good old-fashioned legwork: One respondent answered that he gets ideas for new products from “what we see or do not see in the marketplace, grocery or club stores.” Another source of info from outside continues a developing trend of the past few years – that of outsourcing. More than a quarter of respondents said they use an external product development company to help them identify new product ideas after setting their product development goals. And we can’t forget our colleagues. “Many times we are reacting to competitive pressures or attempting to improve functionalities not present in a competitive offering,” reminded one respondent. Moreover, well over half – 56 percent – of those surveyed noted they use suppliers as an important source of information and help for identifying new-product ideas. FIGURE 5: CENTRALIZED OR DECENTRALIZED? How does your company make decisions regarding new product development? Decentralized – decisions are by business unit 36% 64% Centralized –(Decisions are made at the corporate level) FIGURE 6: RESOURCES USED Internal research Research provided by suppliers Which resources does your company use to identify new product ideas once product development goals have been set? 89% 56% 28% External product development company WWW.FOODPROCESSING.COM http://www.blueberry.org http://www.blueberry.org http://www.foodprocessing.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Food Processing - October 2007

Food Processing - October 2007 Contents Editor’s Plate Power Lunch NewsBites Rollout Food Biz Kids Product Spotlight Annual R&D Survey Product Development Plant Operations Packaging New Product Profiles Toops Scoops

Food Processing - October 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.