Welcome to The PI Toolkit. The only newsletter you won't delete in under three seconds.

Why are you receiving this?

You have either subscribed or are considered a friend of Planning Innovations. To unsubscribe, just respond with "unsubscribe" in the message or click on the link at the bottom of the newsletter.

In this Issue:

PI Cheat Sheets

Capturing Customer Angst

Planning Innovations Workshops

Introducing... The Product Innovator's Cheat Sheets

Reference Guides for Critical Innovation Methods   

You remember those tests where the teacher allowed you to take one piece of paper into the test and you crammed every fact and figure you could using little tiny print? Well... we've done the work for you. Take a PI Cheat Sheet into your next innovation test... More.

This PI Cheat Sheet summarizes the six core steps that provide the foundation for customer-driven product innovation. Each step describes fundamental, yet critical elements along with recommended Action Steps! for Innovation Teams to succeed.  Get now... (it's free).

This PI Cheat Sheet:

The Foundation for Value-Driven Marketing for Product Innovators

Other PI Cheat Sheets in this series focus on Product Requirements, Driving Innovation Teams, and other important elements of successful product innovation.

Missed past newsletters? Some articles to consider:

The One-page Business Case

The Vision Molecule: Creating an Actionable Vision

Have an idea for an article you'd like us to address? Tell us!

PI Mini-survey

(Guaranteed to be statistically close)

Will GM be able to pull up?

Each issue we provide a 15-minute tool or tips for team's to improve in one of three key areas: Customer Insight, Trend Ideation, and Creative Thinking. All three areas can trigger ideas for valuable product innovation. When techniques are combined, they can lead to truly new opportunities. This issue focuses on capturing customer insight at the point of customer angst... View more

Customer Angst: "Why are you telling me this?"

My favorite... You tell a waiter, a manager, a customer service rep what you don't like about their product or service... more.

An Example

It was an emergency! I was out of business cards and had to attend a conference the next day and that left Fedex/Kinko's... more.

Try it!

Gather customer-facing members of your team. Together, identify all the places your company touches customers... more.

Last Survey Results

What is your biggest frustration delivering on innovation?

Not surprising to see a strong correlation between these... See commentary on results.

Planning Innovations is a leading product innovation consulting firm focused on giving technology-driven organizations the tools and knowledge to develop winning products that power growth.

How can we help you become an innovation leader in your industry?

Workshops - to develop leaders, skills, and processes

Projects - to identify and validate high-potential opportunities

Consulting - to assess and implement effective innovation processes

"Planning Innovations evaluation and analytical capabilities are among the best in the industry, and I truly appreciated their ability to bring clarity and focus to a difficult business problem"

- Dir. PM - Qwest Communications

Planning Innovations offers a variety of Outcome-based learning opportunities that focus on specific aspects of successful product innovation.

Innovation Planning and Process Workshops

Effective Product Innovation Systems

Directed Innovation for Technical Leaders

Developing a Winning Product Strategy

Planning and Driving Innovation Projects

Obtaining and Using Customer Requirements

More...

Product Leadership Workshops

Foundation Skills for Innovative PMs

Advanced Skills for Innovative PMs

Financial Skills for Product Innovators

Sales & Marketing for Technical Leaders

More...

Contact us to see why GE, Tyco Electronics, Owens Corning and other innovative companies have selected Planning Innovations as their choice to train their product innovators.

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources"

               - Albert Einstein

PI Tip of the Issue

Your power as a Product Innovator does not come from your knowledge of products and technologies, but from a deep knowledge of customers and markets. See the next issue for a scathing exposé on this topic!

Not Already Signed up? Do it now! It's fast, easy, and we don't spam.

Sign up for PI Toolkit!

©2009 Planning Innovations Group