Solution: With the money invested in a Solar Bear C9000, the American people can save money on buying this machine. They can save money on gas, and also my product provides a lifetime warranty on these lawn mowers. People will not have to worry about purchasing gas for their lawn mowers because we know the sun is the best source of energy to carry out the day's work in the backyard. With my product we will offer a lifetime warranty, so that we will eliminate the cost of repairs, parts, and etc. For example Craftsman is a very good company who provides lifetime warranties on all types of tools, and we like to thank and think of them when we say we want to give a lifetime warranty on a lawn mower. No need to go out and buy another lawn mower if it breaks. These worries are over. By purchasing a Solar Bear C9000 we will simply replace the lawn mower for a new one, if it breaks down or any other type of malfunction.
Development Journal: One day I was cutting the lawn, and the lawn mower we used to have was acting up on us before. I also remember that I needed to put gas in it because it was almost running on empty when I was getting ready to cut the lawn. So after getting gas and powering it up, I was cutting my grass, and then a couple times the lawn mower seemed to stall out on me. I was angry because my father had the lawn mower for not even three years, and I was wondering why it would be having problems. So I did my best and ended up getting the lawn cut, but it took me nearly the whole day because of it stalling out. I told my parents about it and they called someone to come and take a look it at. My parents ended up spending $220.00 for repairs. It was absolutely ridiculous because that was probably half the cost of what we really paid for the machine. The warranty expired because I remember my father trying to take it back up to Lowe's asking questions about it. That is when I thought about the whole solar powered idea. When cutting the grass, I thought about how easy it would be to have a solar powered lawn mower. It would be economical and benefiting in the long run.
New-Product Strategy: The Solar Bear C9000 is the lawn mower that is going to revolutionize all yards around America. Although there are solar powered lawn mowers out on the market today, our product is modified with better features. Its going to be economical, easier to use, customer friendly, and environmentally friendly. All this will be achieved with this product hands down. Our company will improve and further the research and development processes so that we can upgrade our Solar Bear lawn mowers. This product strategy is going to be consistent with our companies marketing plans and strategy because we want to achieve 100%. We will stress innovation, improvement, and convenience for our customers. Our company wants to make a huge impact in the tools and lawn care market with this "going green" product.
Idea Generation: Our idea is developed from the thought of making lawn care more simple and efficient for people. This product was my idea, and I did nothing but strive on thoughts of my needs, and eliminate sophistication. Cutting grass shouldn't be complicated and shouldn't be a process. It's important to make it easy and develop an efficient idea for customers. Looking at our competitors, we want to make a better lawn mower, and something that is going to cost less then what they are producing. We want to beat our competitors on a cost efficient machine.
Idea Screening: I feel confident this product will go through the idea screening process smoothly. The Internet helped conduct research, and one thing for sure, its easy to see that many people have the same thoughts and share their frustrations when it comes to cutting the lawn. A problem we can run into is how will we intend to screen this product without sending tips to our competitors that were on the verge of releasing it to the retail stores. I think concept testing will be a difficulty, but we can conduct a list of general questions for our consumers early on the process such as what are main concerns when they use their own lawn mowers or lawn-care devices. We can also ask what is the main problem they face about their current lawn mowers. When it comes time to release the Solar Bear we will follow up with these questions and concerns by providing detailed descriptions and visual instruction tools for the customers to interact with. We are thinking about manuals, brochures, CD's, or even an instructional DVD.
Business Analysis: I feel confident our product will be in demand, and it will be significant. I also think we will hit positive sales and profits for this company. Once we release the product first, we will look at controlling a large area of the lawn care market. We want to make sure we have control in the sub-markets as well because we want make sure we can offer environmental safe lawn bags, Lithium ION batteries, chargers, and solar panels. This product is definitely going make a big impact, but when talking about making a big impact we are preparing to do this carefully, smart, and slowly. Our main focus is to create an economical lawn mower, and make a more reliable and efficient lawn mower as well. Customers are going to benefit off this because its going to be convenient because of the fact it weighs less than your average Gas-powered (push) lawn mower. This lawn mower DOES NOT require gas, but a charged battery, and sunlight. There are numerous products that are going the route of charged Lithium ION power, and solar devices. We want to make sure this company makes a big impact with bringing out the best lawn mower in our category. The product will be manufactured in our own facilities with a great team of dedicated employees. We will definitely need to acquire new employees that are familiar with lawn mower, and solar technology. If we can find that, we will have a successful, healthy, and productive staff of employees. I know our competitors will do everything to try and jump on this product quickly, which is why its going to be important to release it first and make sure we can establish favorable distribution agreements with companies who will want to use our product. When talking about business, we need to understand their is risk, and I am fully aware of risk. If for some reason our product fails after the release, and our product begins to lack in efficiency and not corporate with the solar power activities then we have failed. Our development and testing must be successful, and I will not take anything lower than 100%. I want 100% success and guarantee for this product. Solar Bear is going to be the hottest lawn mower people are going to want to invest in.
Development: Our research and development teams will develop a prototype before we determine the cost, production, and solutions. The development teams will work on logos, brand names, packaging, and labels for our products. We are going to build Solar Bear Lawn Mowers stronger than ever. This company needs to aim at both innovation and convenience, so our brand can bring a positive reflection. We need to aim at the environmentally friendly scene and satisfy all needs. Our slogan is going to be "The fierce, the strong, and environmentally successful Solar Bear". Our advertising will be developed and targeted at magazines, internet, tv, and hardware stores. Our price will be set at $549.99. Of course the price will come down in time, and especially when new developing models are underway. Most hardware stores will receive this product.
Test Marketing: Testing is required and I will not authorize my product to be in any store until it is successfully tested. I will enforce that we use the simulated market testing because we don't want this product and revolutionizing idea leaking and floating around to competitors. Our testing is going to be cost-effective, easy, efficient, and fast. I want research groups to find mock shoppers, or focus groups so that this product can be tested successfully. I also want this product tested out at headquarters on our own developed "grass pads we have installed in our companies test labs. Our test labs will be outdoor yards linked to our facility where the grass is taken care of daily. I want the lawn mowers tested in our facility before having the product being tested with mock shoppers, or focus groups. The subjects will be compensated for being involved in the test simulations, and will be required to sign a legal form that will be taken of by our legal officials in this company. This is to help ensure and hopefully conceal the product so that it will not be leaked to other people, and especially our competitors.
Commercialization: This is our final stage that this company is working towards. The decision to commercialize the product sets several tasks in motion: ordering production materials and equipment, starting production, building inventories, shipping the products to field distribution points, training the sales force, announcing the new product to the trade, and advertising to potential customers. Our materials will be shipped to us, and they will be tested before being used. After the release of this product at trade shows, and conventions, we will then ship to all distributors. The advertising campaign will be important because I want advertising everywhere and anywhere we can get it, whether it is radio, tv, magazines, internet, and etc. The success will be anticipated based on the commitment to the customers, and our new product developments. Our advertising need to show excitement, and really catch the attention of customers, and make them excited as much as we are for this new revolutionary product
Additional Note:
The Solar Bear C9000 is the lawn mower that is going to revolutionize all yards around America. Although there are solar powered lawn mowers out on the market today, I figured I can modify the original product and add more features to it. The solar powered lawn mower I am creating will have a solar panel covering located at the top with two air flow vents. The heat and light of the sun will cause the lawn mower to work fast, and efficient. No need for gas to power up the lawn mower, the sun is our fuel. Also the Solar Bear C9000 will have a LED light system that is detachable when wanting to use it. It is a complete covering for the top of the lawn mower shaped to cover the solar paneling. The detachable LED light cover that you will place on the solar paneling is powered by a rechargeable Lithium ION Battery. It can hold a charge up to 7-8 hours. This detachable LED cover is provided in case of cloudy weather interfering with the solar panels. It is an alternative device offered with this great solar powered lawn mower. This lawn mower is an economical product that can be bought by consumers and could be sold anywhere such as Home Depot, Lowes, or even Wal-Mart. I have always liked to try and be environmentally friendly, and show a green side to myself, and it will definitely save money in the long run. The price of our lawn mower will be $549.99 and a lifetime warranty.
- Matthew Cirba 2/28/11
