How to Create a Winning Product - The Muse

How to Create a Winning Product - The MuseHow to Create a Winning Product Good ideas dont just happen. Theyre not sitting around waiting for you to come along and pluck them from obscurity. In reality, the process of bringing an idea to life takes serious dedication and hard work.At the medical technology company Stryker, for example, every product undergoes a period of research and development, followed by a concept phase where the engineering kollektiv sees if they can actually develop the product. Then comes proof of concept, where they test whether the idea is a viable product. Lastly, theres engineering, where theyre not only building the product, but fabricating the tools needed to develop it, a process that can take over a year.So what sparks an idea for a groundbreaking product or invention? And once youve had the idea, how do you maintain the grit and commitment to take it through to finished product?To find out, we spoke with Stryker Chief Engineer, Anish Paul, and Senior E ngineering Manager, Kristi Brunner, about what it takes to think up a winning idea and bring a product to market.Know Your CustomerThere are a number of catalysts for why a product gets created. Sometimes theres an obvious need in the market other times its an idea born out of research and development.We have a lot of ideas, but we like to focus on the customer, says Brunner. We have a process we call customer-centered design (CCD), and thats what we do to frame these design problems that were trying to solve. With CCD, youre building your products around a customers needs and their unique issues. In Strykers case, that means developing solutions for healthcare workers.Its very important for engineers to understand the market intimately, Paul adds. In his 15 years with Stryker, Paul has gotten to know his target customer through clinical observations, job shadowing, and even visiting with those customers and finding out firsthand what they need in order to do their job better.That k nowledge helped Paul and his colleague Paul Radgens develop the M-Series stretcher.A lot of what we do is to care for the caregiver so they can care for the patient, Paul explains. The big thing with patient handling is youve got, you know, a 100-pound nurse that has to manage a 700-pound patient at times. If you think of that, thats a pretty daunting task.Paul and Radgens realized that an electric powered stretcher would make it safer for healthcare providers to transport patients. And thats the ultimate goal, Paul says- making the lives of these caregivers better.Build Your A-TeamBuilding a product isnt a solo endeavor. A 13-year Stryker veteran, Brunner manages a team of 16 engineers, but there are also 50 cross-functional team members working on any given project.It can also take a great deal of time While Brunner has worked on several products during her tenure with the company, it took seven years to develop Power-Load.Launched in 2012, Power-Load is a cot fastener in an ambul ance that better secures the stretcher to the back of the vehicle so that it can withstand a crash. And with Power-Load, emergency workers no longer have to lift the stretcher into the ambulance the device does it for them, putting less stress on an EMTs back and eliminating potential drops.It was Brunners experience building innovative teams that helped guide this project through all its ups and downs. Its crucial to have a great team when you are working on a project that could take multiple years to complete, she explains, adding, You need to be able to leverage a teams strengths. Technical expertise varies based on the challenge we are facing, but generally I look for someone that has passion for our customers, is a self-motivator, and is accountable.For his part, Paul has found that co-location of team members ultimately leads to organic collaboration and communication, and it also helps with building strong relationships and empathy among co-workers.Last but definitely not lea st, Brunner says, I look at the team dynamic as a whole. Team collaboration is a must, and each player has a part in this.Be AdaptableWhen youre developing new products, what seemed like a great idea one day might be obsolete or redundant the next, and your focus could change. And that means youll have to stare down disappointment at some point.Change is an everyday thing, Paul says, and you have to accept the fact that what you worked on yesterday is probably not as relevant today. Its hard for a lot of people that have more of an operational mindset where its very structured, and they want task A to follow task B.If youre leading a team like Paul, you have to instill a mindset that new product development is about charting a new course and that they need to approach it as if they were pioneers.mora importantly, you need to be OK with failing.You need to fail often and early to get it right, Brunner says. You have to be OK with getting it wrong and making mistakes because youre goi ng to learn from those mistakes.When youre inventing something, you dont know what you dont know, and the path forward isnt very predictable in the beginning. Engineers are always going back to the drawing board and refining their work, constantly iterating the smallest details.You need to be resilient, Brunner adds. You need to be comfortable with the unknown and flexible to try something different but still focused on the best solution for the problem.See It ThroughBringing a product to life is never easy. One of the hardest parts of our job is that you have an idea in your head, and in order to make the world believe that idea, you have to have tremendous perseverance and tenacity, says Paul.You can scream and shout and flail your arms around, but no one sees the idea the way you see the idea, he adds. You dont just need to convince investors you believe in something- though that helps. You have to make the world believe it.The reality is that it will take years of hard work to b ring a product to market. But if you have the wherewithal and the passion to see an idea through, it can be an immensely rewarding experience for you and the consumers who enjoy your products.Its so motivating to see and know that something you worked on has made someones life better, Brunner says. I feel so fortunate to be able to have a role in saving someones life as my day job.

Top Job Search Tips For 2016

Top Job Search Tips For 2016Top Job Search Tips For 2016Executive job search need elend be a lengthy, convoluted path. In fact, you can achieve the shortest distance between point A and point B by making a straight line directly to the company and the hiring decision maker you need. Following are three strategies to optimize your job search for maximum results in minimum time.1. Shift your mindset from job search to company search.Job searching is a finite activity. Only a limited number of jobs will be advertised. If you apply for one (or two, or ten) and dont hear a response, those opportunities are over. If you interview and are not selected, that also is likely the end of the road.However, a company search uncovers practically infinite options. Build a list of ideal employers, perhaps based on distance from your home, company size, industry or corporate culture. Next, find out whats going on in those organizations. Google News can provide you with extensive, up-to-date insight on whether the company is launching a new product, opening a new division or achieving an industry honor. All these scenarios indicate the company is in growth mode, and organizations that are growing are the ones that need to top your list.2. Offer your value proposition, not just your resume.The best way to use what you uncover in Google News is to factor specific information into your approach to the company. Instead of sending your resume, which 99.9% of your competition is doing, craft a targeted value proposition letter that succinctly states you know what the organization is working on right now and your particular brand of expertise may constitute a solid match.The letter you write is not a place for fluff. Delete all fillers about being a dynamic executive, with extensive leadership success. Put some teeth into this prove your value by presenting quantifiable examples of your achievements, and make sure those accomplishments are on par with the level of impact your ideal comp any would likely be looking for.3. Approach the decision maker directly.Yes, this last step is easier said than done. However, devote some time to identifying and reaching several of the right decision makers, instead of the saatkorn amount of time to blasting your resume far and wide across the Internet, where it will likely reach either resume scanning software or basically nobody.Options abound online. To find out a persons name, Google the likely job title and the company, like this query for example, VP, Marketing IBM. You can conduct a similar search on LinkedIn. Invest in LinkedIn InMail in order to contact the person. GooglePlus and Twitter can be treasure troves, because these are the social media outlets where people place entire professional biographies about themselves, which are often rich with contact information.Every public library in every major city has a free database of business information and executive decision makers you can likely access that from your home computer.Searching for companies as opposed to jobs, offering your value proposition instead of your resume, and approaching the decision maker directly are all strategies when, put together, will sharply increase the likelihood that you land the ideal role you want much faster than your competition.

8 steps to take now to prepare for your next job

8 steps to take now to prepare for your next job8 steps to take now to prepare for your next jobFall is the perfect time to do some professional polishing up even if youre not ready to start looking for your next job just yet.But hey with hiring up and job satisfaction among millennials looking pretty bleak, now might be a good time to keep an eye out for greener pastures.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreTake these 8 steps nowto make sure youve got everything in buchen for whenever you do decide to make your next career move.1. Clarify your goals and audienceBefore you sit down to write your resume or polish up your online presence, pause and consider these two fundamentals of strategic communication what are your goals and who is your audience?Are you angling for a promotion? A raise? A new job? A total career shift altogether? Keep your eye on the prize throughout the next 7 steps.If youre feeling pulled in a million different directions (hello, fellow multi-passionate people I see you) or are feeling ambivalent about which path to start down, do some deep reflection with a self-assessment tool likethe Levo Thinking Talents Apporthe Bossed Up LifeTracker.Once youre grounded in your goals, consider your audience. Who are the stakeholders? The gatekeepers? The people you need to persuade to get to where you want to go? What do they love and what do they loathe? Keep reminding yourself what its like in their shoes and youll be irresistible to those youre wanting to woo.2. jupe your resumeNow that youre clear on your goals and audience, its time to take a crack at the all-important resume. Make sure your resume focuses on your fruchtwein relevant experiences, achievements, and skills as they relate to your goal.More is not always better. Keep it concise, clear, and focused on showcasing how perfect you would be for your dream position.Other superfluous exp eriences and skills might just be taking up space and adding to the clutter and chaos. Content matters, to be sure, but so does style. So keep things simple, embrace a healthy amount of whitespace, and take the time todesign a resume that helps you stand out.If youre navigating a career transition, consider ditching the traditional chronological format and opting fora skills-based resume instead, which can help showcase your transferable skills when making the leap.3. Write an objective meinungWith your goal and audience in mind, write a simple 1-to-2 sentence objective statement about who you are and what youre looking for. Even if you dont have space to include this in your resume, youll find this little paragraph comes in SUPER handy when writing future outreach emails, cover letters, and more. Think of this as your personal headline and tagline that spells outWho you areMid-level project manager with extensive digital communications skillsAnd what youre looking forseeks a fast-p aced gruppe environment with the opportunity to make creative contributions and take on strategic communications project management.This single sentence (or two) should leave a complete stranger understanding the basics of who you are, what youre good at, and what the must-haves are in the next opportunity youll take.4. Snap a new headshotIn todays digital job market, a shiny new headshot can have a bigger impact than you might think. And no, this isnt just relevant to Instagram models and life coaches.One of the biggest benefits youll experience from a polished, professional headshot is the increased visibility on social media. Facebook and LinkedIns algorithms LOVE sharing your new profile pic its baked into the algorithm and means that youre likely to get a flurry of attention when you update your photo there. Take advantage of that likelihood by updating your social media accounts with your new headshots around critical moments in your career.I recommend enlisting the help of a professional photographer to make your headshots session worthwhile, but that doesnt mean you need to break the bank.Watch my interview with my very own headshots photographerto gain insider tips and learn how professional portraits can boost your personal brand.5. Prep your online presenceNow that youve got a new set of snazzy headshots and wrote out your objective statement, its time to put them out into the world.For message continuity, add the same headshot and snippet of your objective statement to all your social media platforms. Go through and do a cleanse to make sure nothing youve posted would completely turn off prospective employers (or at the very least, lock up those privacy settings like woa). If you can, start sharing any recent projects or work achievements youre proud of as a subtle way to start showcasing your skills, too.If you want to keep your job search on the down low (because youre still collecting that paycheck from your soon-to-be former employer), I total ly get it Just leave out the part of your objective statement that lists what youre looking for next.Social media is a powerful tool for your professional brand.Use it.6. Learn to tell your storyAs you start to get out there and talk with other industry movers and shakers about your next moves, youre going to want to be comfortable sharing who you are and what youre looking for without putting people to sleep.Seriously, do not imitate a walking, reading resume. No one actually wants to hear you talk them through your chronological career path. Snooze.Instead, tell an actual story that explains who you are and what you value.7. Network likeaboss with 11 meetingsOnce youve practiced telling your personal story, put it work with effective networking meetings. Im a big believer inthis formula for 1-on-1 meetings that dont waste time.Focus on building relationships with mutual benefit, so prepare to share your story and hear from others about their motivations and current needs. Come wit h a clear ask in mind, but also be radically generous with whatever resources you have to spare.8. Start your search the smart wayWhen it comes time to officially start the search, make the most of those authentic relationships youve been building by explicitly asking folks to keep their ears to the ground for you and let you know what opportunities they hear about.Ask for feedback about how you might position yourself as an asset to the organizations youd love to work for. Ask for what skill-building courses, conferences, ortrainings, might leave you in a stronger position, too.Be persistent and seek out communities of accountability, courage, and support to keep you going through the slog of the often painfully slow search process.When you get your polished professional assets in place, are continuously growing your community, and position yourself as a strong candidate in the job market, its just a matter of time before you find your match.This article originally appeared on Boss edUp.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people