Early in the week, choose a company for your new idea assignments. Use courseroom Messages to send your company selection to the instructor by Wednesday of Week 2. Use courseroom Messages to send your company choice, not Internet e-mail. Review the background of your selected company and become very familiar with its current product offerings. You should visit the company’s Web site or visit the company in person if it is in your area.

Review the product innovation charter (PIC) and begin to brainstorm possible new products or services for your selected company. In Unit 3, you will create a PIC for your new product.

New Product Idea and Rationale

In this assignment, you will generate a new product or service idea for the company you have selected. Submit a one-page description of a new product or service idea, as well as the rationale or justification for the idea. When you look for the rationale, examine trends that might support a product of this type and possible users for the product or service. Make sure your new product or service is unique, not just a new color or version of something that the company already offers.

Submit your description using the following format:

1. Provide a complete description of the new product or service idea.
2. Explain how the product or service fits with current company offerings, including similarities and differences.
3. Outline a process for consideration of your product or service.
4. Suggest a target market for this product or service.
5. Provide the rationale for the product or service and for the suggested target market.