If you are a sales person in an electronics company. At a recent trade exhibition you met a supplier that was willing to supply your company with a product on an exclusive basis (i.e. Available to your company only) that you could offer in your marketplace. The product in question has already been successfully developed and tested and – as yet – is not being sold on the market. You know from speaking to your customers that there is a demand for such a product and it would clearly plug a gap in your company’s product portfolio, and give your company significant competitive advantage. You approach the product management division with your idea and, to your surprise, they are very unenthusiastic and reject your idea, stating “We always develop our own products in-house in this department – it would cost the company far too much to set up the processes to buy in a product from outside”.
A. Outline the possible range of reasons for the product management division’s rejection of your idea.
B. What might you do or argue to persuade or otherwise ensure that your idea is adopted?
C. State which of your options in (b) would be your preferred approach, and why?
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Answer:
If you are a sales person in an electronics company. At a recent trade exhibition you met a supplier that was willing to supply your company with a product on an exclusive basis (i.e. Available to your company only) that you could offer in your marketplace. The product in question has already been successfully developed and tested and – as yet – is not being sold on the market. You know from speaking to your customers that there is a demand for such a product and it would clearly plug a gap in your company’s product portfolio, and give your company significant competitive advantage. You approach the product management division with your idea and, to your surprise, they are very unenthusiastic and reject your idea, stating “We always develop our own products in-house in this department – it would cost the company far too much to set up the processes to buy in a product from outside”.
A. Outline the possible range of reasons for the product management division’s rejection of your idea.
B. What might you do or argue to persuade or otherwise ensure that your idea is adopted?
C. State which of your options in (b) would be your preferred approach, and why?