|
THE VILLAGE
a newsletter for the global NPD community |
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
March brings spring to the Northern Hemisphere. I love to see blooming daffodils,  but I often forget to "spring forward" to daylight savings time. Lucky for me, most of our clocks and devices can "spring forward" without my intervention. Innovation, however, often needs our intervention as leaders and coaches to ensure that the best ideas can move forward.
In this month's issue of The Village, a newsletter for the global NPD community, Global NP Solutions brings forward tools for New Product Development leaders. Understanding the project type, the team structures, and leadership models can make the innovation more successful!
Part two of the Top 10 Reasons to Be NPDP Certified is addressed in our new monthly feature "NPD Coach: Q&A". Learn more about best practices and the innovation framework at any of our NPDP workshops.
This month's recommended reading reviews The Invisible Element by Rosenfeld, Wilhelmi, and Harrison. A great book for anyone wanting to improve their innovation organization.
As always, let us know what you think of The Village. Send an email with your comments or questions to info@globalnpsoltuions.com. |
|
NPD Coach: Q&A | | |
NPDP Discussion Forum
Last month, Global NP Solutions announced a new tool for New Product Development Professionals - the NPDP Certification Discussion Forum.
 The forum is a restricted access discussion group (free to register) so you can feel free to openly collaborate and learn from your colleagues in NPD.
Each month in this Q&A column we'll feature one of the questions and answers from the forum or from your submissions at info@globalnpsolutions.com.
Q: Continued from February: What are the top 10 reasons to become NPDP Certified?
A: Check out the full answer at the Discussion Forum or at the Top 10 Reasons. Here are the other five reasons to become NPDP Certified.
6 - Demonstrated Expertise
7 - Unique Certification
8 - Management Resources
9 - Professional Credentials
10 - Shared Values |
|
Leading Innovation | | |
Tools for New Product Development
Leadership is often difficult to define and requires an understanding of the project  type, team structure, organization culture, and strategic goals. Not every team member or project should be managed in the same way. An adaptable leader can change his or her leadership style to the complexity of the project and to each individual's behavior or motivation.
NPD projects requiring little strategic or creative breakthroughs can be effectively managed with a highly directive style, such as the controlling style. As projects become horizontally, and not just vertically, integrated with other functions and departments, project complexity and coordination need to increase. An informing leadership style can assist a manager with building skills and confidence in such a situation.
Next, as the teams grow in size and the NPD projects become more technically complex, coordinating activities becomes the focus of an advising leader. He or she may be very directive with specific elements of the project, but will not likely play an active role in either experimentation or market testing. Learn more about leadership tools for new product innovation in " Leading Innovation: Tools for New Product Development." GNPS Premier members can log-on and download for FREE. First year membership is available at the discounted rate of only $60 per year with extra savings on all NPDP Workshops. Non-members can Download Now this special e-book for only $9.35, including sales tax. |
|
Recommended Reading | | |
The Invisible Element: A Practical Guide for the Human Dynamics of Innovation
by Robert Rosenfeld, Gary Wilhelmi, and Andrew Harrison
One of the most difficult elements of innovation to understand and/or change is human nature. In The Invisible Element, trust takes the driver's seat to help organizations identify change processes leading to more successful innovation.
While intuitive, this book lays out clear arguments for increasing trust to yield creative risk-taking that can help solve the business and technical challenges of today. A fairly long book, The Invisible Element rewards the reader with gap analysis templates geared toward taking an organization to higher innovation status.
NPD team members, leaders, and PMO staff can all benefit from understanding The Invisible Element. |
|
|
Global NP Solutions is Your Strategic Innovation Partner helping deliver new product profitability in the marketplace. Our clients are preferred employers of New Product Development Professionals in all industries. Click here for more information. 
Best Regards,
Teresa Jurgens-Kowal
Global NP Solutions, LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
