Product Managing Technology
Capitalise on the next dimension of Information Technology
Jan Wielenga
ProductMarketing
Technology
Jan Wielenga
ProductManage
Technology
© Jan Wielenga - 2015
Requirements - Sourcing the information…
• Interview customers
• End-customer workshops
• Supplier Roadmaps
• Seek Industry Pundit opinion
• Competitive information
• Web Research
• Twitter-sphere and LinkedIn discussion groups
Addressable Market…
• Overall investment in technologies major (target) brands…
• Work with suppliers and channels and share forecasting intelligence…
• Innovations
• New developmentsMobile, Phablets, Connected TVs, IoT, Big Data, SDN, NFV, Thin Clients, etc.
• Competitive information, try to find out what they are up to…
• Tradeshows and congresses
• Win-Loss Analysis on existing products
Considerations for a Value Proposition
Why is this product good for the customer ?
Lowers total cost of ownership = Opex + Capex
Solves a (costly) problem
Soft benefits: Ease of Use, Plug in and forget, Reliable
Make it Relevant; Avoid the so what? question
Quantifiable benefits
Early Adoption Challenges – Sales Objections
• We have always done it the old way and has served us well, why change?
• I don’t want to be the guinea pig…
• It is too complex and time consuming…
• Upfront costs are too expensive…
• There is no certainty that this is the right solution…
Overcoming the Barrier to Sales…
• Demand Creation - warm up the market as early as possible
– Blogs
– News Releases and Advertorials (Milestones)
– YouTube
– White papers
– Industry and private events
– Workshops, technology days
– Webinars
– Direct and e-Marketing
• Discus the ‘challenges’ and “play” on ‘Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt’ (FUD)
• Vertical marketing and tailored offers
Give Sales and Customers a reason to communicate…
Overcoming the Barrier to Sales…
• Proof-of-concept trials with partners
• Endorsements, success stories and testimonials
• Sandbox for key target customers (early adopters)
• Development Kits
• Create allegiances within the value-chain;Agents, Distributors, Manufacturers
• If replacing existing product, slowly increase the price of old product
Make it easy and low risk to switch…
Launch Pre-Requisites - On the road to General Availability
• When is the product ready to sell?
• Do we have pricing models in place ?
• Are all sales tools/training in place ?
• Do we have a route to market?
• Do we need a phased or controlled introduction?
• Is patent and IP protection in place for target territories and what is the risk if not
• Do we have all approvals / compliances
• Ensure demand is aligned with volume capability – Controlled introduction first?
• Ensure that the price and margins are right for the target market.
• Marketing Communications Plan and content – Mail shot, Press Release, Events
Plan the Launch, Launch the Plan
Product Lifecycle
PricingReview?
Innovationnew product ?
RetirementStrategy?
CostReduction
Ramp upDemand
ProductExtension
Sales
Controlled Introduction
DeclineAnalysis
Awareness Creation
Introduction
Maturity
Decline
Growth
Lifecycle Continuous loop
MarketNeed
LastTimeBuy
End
of
Life
Idea
FeasibilityBusinessCase
CashCow
Concept
CostReduction
Development
Production
ControlledIntroduction
GeneralAvailability
Summary
• Detect and understand the customer’s ‘pain points’ (challenge)
• Understand the opportunity size and market window
• Understand what the market really needs
• Willingness to pay
• The competitive playground
• Create demand as early as possible
• Make adoption easy and low risk
• Manage the product progressively and proactively
• Always be realistic