Productize
Productize

Author: Eisha Armstrong

Publisher: Vecteris

Published: 2021-05-02

Total Pages: 172

ISBN-13: 9781736929612

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Many professional services businesses want to create more scalable services and solutions but they often lack the tools and capabilities to successfully transition from a customized services model to a scalable solutions and products model. Productize outlines the unique pitfalls that professional services organizations face when they embark on a strategy of creating more scalable, often tech-enabled, products and services and it provides you with the tactics and tools to overcome these pitfalls. It is designed to be a practical playbook for any leader of a professional services business who wants to successfully accelerate growth.Productize draws on the 25+ years of experience that Eisha Armstrong has in successfully creating, launching and growing productized services. Eisha knows what works and what doesn't and she is passionate about making sure organizations learn from each other and avoid reinventing the wheel.Productize includes real-life case studies and stories featuring professional services leaders who have successfully led their organizations to create more scalable services and products. It also includes more than two dozen tools and templates to help your team implement the tactics so you don't have to start from scratch.In this book, you'll learn:1) How to turn shift your culture to embrace a product mindset2) The capabilities you to be successful and whether or not you should acquire them or grow them internally3) How much money to invest in exploring and building more scalable solutions and products4) How to ensure there is a viable market for your product idea5) How to sequence investments in new product development6) How to successfully source and work with developers and data scientists7) How to inexpensively test your ideas before investing in development8) How to win the hearts and minds of your sales team to ensure your new products are commercially successfulBonus: Key point summaries at the end of each chapter to help you lock in what you learnBonus: More than two dozen tools and templates to help your team implement the tactics so you don't have to start from scratch.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO PRODUCT/SERVICE COSTING & PRICING IN THE BUSINESS WORLD
A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO PRODUCT/SERVICE COSTING & PRICING IN THE BUSINESS WORLD

Author: DICKSON AKAM NTUH

Publisher: Dickson Akam Ntuh

Published: 2024-04-28

Total Pages: 49

ISBN-13:

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In the dynamic world of business, where profitability is the ultimate pursuit, the realms of costing and pricing reign supreme. Like a master symphony conductor, every entrepreneur and manager must skillfully orchestrate the delicate balance between cost and prices to create a harmonious melody of success. Welcome to a journey that explores the intricacies, methodologies, and strategies behind costing and pricing a voyage that will empower you to navigate the jumble of financial decisions with finesse. Within the pages of this book, we delve deep into the captivating world of costing, where we uncover a treasure trove of methods that unravel the enigma of expenses. From traditional methods like absorption costing and job costing to innovative approaches like activity-based costing and target costing, we dissect each technique, unveiling their unique merits and demystifying their complexities. As we unravel the intricate web of cost, you will gain the tools to dissect your organization's expenses, assess their impact, and make informed decisions that elevate your business to new heights. However, cost control alone is not enough to navigate the turbulent seas of modern commerce. It is within the symphony of pricing strategies that the true potential for profitability lies. With meticulous attention, we explore the multifaceted landscape of pricing, where art and science converge to shape the market dynamics. From cost-plus pricing and value-based pricing to skimming and penetration pricing, each strategy is dissected, evaluated, and synthesized to equip you with a formidable arsenal of pricing techniques. By understanding the psychology of pricing, market segmentation, and the impact of competitive forces, you will be empowered to set optimal prices that captivate customers, maximize revenues, and ensure long-term sustainability. Yet, the journey does not stop there. Recognizing the inseparable bond between cost and prices, we explore the nexus between the two a realm where profitability and competitiveness intersect. We embark on a quest for cost reduction, uncovering innovative approaches and strategies that can bolster your bottom line without compromising quality. We unearth the power of lean management, process optimization, strategic sourcing, and supply chain efficiencies, allowing you to shape a leaner and more resilient business ecosystem. Moreover, we delve into the realm of iv price optimization, where strategic discounting, pricing psychology, and revenue management techniques converge to unlock new avenues of growth and profit. Throughout this voyage, we embrace the nuances of various industries, from manufacturing to services, retail to technology, and beyond. Drawing from real-world case studies, industry best practices, and expert insights, we distill the essence of costing and pricing to offer practical guidance that transcends organizational boundaries. Regardless of your sector, whether you are a budding entrepreneur, seasoned manager, or aspiring financial expert, this book aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions, outmaneuver your competitors, and unleash the true potential of your enterprise. As we embark on this transformative journey through the enchanting landscape of costing and pricing, prepare to unlock a new realm of financial daring. Together, let us cross the intricacies of costing methods, cost reduction strategies, and the art of pricing to plan a symphony of profitability that resonates far beyond the realms of commerce. Welcome to the realm where cost and prices converge a world of strategic decision-making, untapped opportunities, and boundless potential.

The Definitive Guide to Manufacturing and Service Operations
The Definitive Guide to Manufacturing and Service Operations

Author: Nada R. Sanders

Publisher: Pearson Education

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 187

ISBN-13: 0133438643

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To succeed in manufacturing and service operations, managers need both technical and behavioral skills, and know how to apply these skills to transform processes and outputs in a wide variety of operational contexts throughout the supply chain. Now, there's an authoritative and comprehensive guide to best-practice manufacturing and service operations in any organization. Co-authored by a leading expert alongside the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), this reference details the planning, organizing, controlling, directing, motivating and coordinating functions used to produce goods or services. It covers long-term strategic decisions such as facility location; mid-term tactical decisions such as setting levels of inventory and labor; and short-term operational decisions such as job assignments. Coverage includes: Basic manufacturing and service operations concepts, purposes, terminology, roles, and goals; types of manufacturing and services; planning processes; inventory and labor requirements; process control; productivity levels, and budget control Key elements, processes, and interactions, including facility, material, and labor requirements planning; scheduling; and continuous process and quality improvement processes, including TQM, ISO, Six Sigma, SPC, Theory of Constraints, FMEA, and 5S Principles/strategies for establishing efficient, effective, and sustainable operations: Manufacturing and services planning and strategies, encompassing facility ownership and location, production, processes, layout, lead capacity, technology, personnel, measurement, compensation, sustainability, and more The key roles and value of technology, including MRP II systems, service systems, ERP systems, and capabilities for supporting manufacturing and service planning, execution, and cost management. Requirements and challenges of global manufacturing and service operations, including manufacturing and outsourcing in Low-Cost Countries (LCCs); logistical difficulties, labor challenges, financial implications, decision processes, contract performance, risk management, and regulation Best practices for assessing performance using standard metrics and frameworks, including KPIs, tradeoff analysis, scorecarding, dashboards, and exception management

Zingerman's Guide to Giving Great Service
Zingerman's Guide to Giving Great Service

Author: Ari Weinzweig

Publisher: Hyperion

Published: 2012-06-26

Total Pages: 125

ISBN-13: 1401305075

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Entrepreneurial phenomenon Ari Weinzweig, co-founder of the much-loved Zingerman's Deli, shares the secrets to providing world-class customer service. Zingerman's in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a beloved deli with some of the most loyal clientele around. It has been praised for its products and service in media outlets far and wide, including the New York Times, Men's Journal, Inc. Magazine, Esquire, Atlantic Monthly, USA Today, and Fast Company. And what started out as a small deli has grown to a flourishing restaurant, catering service, bakery, mail-order operation, creamery, and training business. Booming business and loyal customers are proof enough that the Zingerman's team knows a thing or two about customer service. Now in Zingerman's Guide to Giving Great Service, co-founder Ari Weinzweig shares the unique Zingerman method of treating customers, giving the reader step-by-step instructions on what to teach staff, how to train them, how to implement the training, how to measure their success, and finally, how to reward performance. Some of Zingerman's time-tested principles: Customers who get a great product but poor service won't be as loyal as those who are disappointed with a product but get great service. You'll get more complaints if people believe you care enough to listen to them. And that's a good thing. Employees who are rewarded, respected, and well cared for treat customers the same way.

User Research
User Research

Author: Stephanie Marsh

Publisher: Kogan Page Publishers

Published: 2018-03-03

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 0749481056

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Many businesses are based on creating desirable experiences, products and services for users. However in spite of this, companies often fail to consider the end user - the customer - in their planning and development processes. As a result, organizations find themselves spending huge sums of money creating products and services that, quite simply, don't work. User experience research, also known as UX research, focuses on understanding user behaviours, needs and motivations through a range of observational techniques, task analysis and other methodologies. User Research is a practical guide that shows readers how to use the vast array of user research methods available. Covering all the key research methods including face-to-face user testing, card sorting, surveys, A/B testing and many more, the book gives expert insight into the nuances, advantages and disadvantages of each, while also providing guidance on how to interpret, analyze and share the data once it has been obtained. Ultimately, User Research is about putting natural powers of observation and conversation to use in a specific way. The book isn't bogged down with small, specific, technical detail - rather, it explores the fundamentals of user research, which remain true regardless of the context in which they are applied. As such, the tools and frameworks given here can be used in any sector or industry, to improve any part of the customer journey and experience; whether that means improving software, websites, customer services, products, packaging or more.

Deliver Great Products That Customers Love
Deliver Great Products That Customers Love

Author: Valerio Zanini

Publisher: 5D Vision Publishing

Published: 2018-10-10

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9780998985428

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Great products are built upon the three pillars of strong customer focus, a culture of agility, and team empowerment. This book explains how to drive product innovation and deliver products that customers love. It's a guide for innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs, and it includes several interviews with startup CEOs and real-life use cases.

Designing for Sustainability
Designing for Sustainability

Author: Tim Frick

Publisher: "O'Reilly Media, Inc."

Published: 2016-08-23

Total Pages: 336

ISBN-13: 1491935723

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Pixels use electricity, and a lot of it. If the Internet were a country, it would be the sixth largest in terms of electricity use. That’s because today’s average web page has surpassed two megabytes in size, leading to slow load times, frustrated users, and a lot of wasted energy. With this practical guide, your web design team will learn how to apply sustainability principles for creating speedy, user-friendly, and energy-efficient digital products and services. Author Tim Frick introduces a web design framework that focuses on four key areas where these principles can make a difference: content strategy, performance optimization, design and user experience, and green hosting. You’ll discover how to provide users with a streamlined experience, while reducing the environmental impact of your products and services. Learn why 90% of the data that ever existed was created in the last year Use sustainability principles to innovate, reduce waste, and function more efficiently Explore green hosting, sustainable business practices, and lean/agile workflows Put the right things in front of users at precisely the moment they need them—and nothing more Increase site search engine visibility, streamline user experience, and make streaming video more efficient Use Action Items to explore concepts outlined in each chapter

Designing for the Digital Age
Designing for the Digital Age

Author: Kim Goodwin

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2011-03-25

Total Pages: 770

ISBN-13: 1118079884

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Whether you’re designing consumer electronics, medical devices, enterprise Web apps, or new ways to check out at the supermarket, today’s digitally-enabled products and services provide both great opportunities to deliver compelling user experiences and great risks of driving your customers crazy with complicated, confusing technology. Designing successful products and services in the digital age requires a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in interaction design, visual design, industrial design, and other disciplines. It also takes the ability to come up with the big ideas that make a desirable product or service, as well as the skill and perseverance to execute on the thousand small ideas that get your design into the hands of users. It requires expertise in project management, user research, and consensus-building. This comprehensive, full-color volume addresses all of these and more with detailed how-to information, real-life examples, and exercises. Topics include assembling a design team, planning and conducting user research, analyzing your data and turning it into personas, using scenarios to drive requirements definition and design, collaborating in design meetings, evaluating and iterating your design, and documenting finished design in a way that works for engineers and stakeholders alike.

The Art of Client Service
The Art of Client Service

Author: Robert Solomon

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2016-03-17

Total Pages: 191

ISBN-13: 111922828X

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A practical guide for providing exceptional client service Most advertising and marketing people would claim great client service is an elusive, ephemeral pursuit, not easily characterized by a precise skill set or inventory of responsibilities; this book and its author argue otherwise, claiming there are definable, actionable methods to the role, and provide guidance designed to achieve more effective work. Written by one of the industry's most knowledgeable client services executives, the book begins with a definition, then follows a path from an initial new business win to beginning, building, losing, then regaining trust with clients. It is a powerful source of counsel for those new to the business, for industry veterans who want to refresh or validate what they know, and for anyone in the middle of the journey to get better at what they do.