Improve An Existing Product Or Service

• Frequently, an existing product or service can be improved by:
  
• enhancing the quality;
• reducing the cost of production;
• reducing the cost to the consumer;
• improving durability;
• increasing power;
• making it larger or smaller;
• making it more convenient to use;
• making it more comprehensive; or
• updating processes, materials or technology.

Improving an item by any of these means increases its value. Improving a product or service is different than adding value. When you improve a product, you use only the idea from the previous product, but improve on it to create a completely new item. When you add value, you purchase a product to use it as a base for your additions or changes.

Some Examples

1. A film processing outlet improved service by processing film much faster than competing firms.

2. A woman writes alternative instruction manuals for computer software programs. The manuals are easier to use and understand than those enclosed with the software.

How To Do It

1. Select an existing product or service which interests you and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of firms which currently provide it. Identify areas which could be improved and think of ways you could provide the same product or service with the improvement added.

2. Identify faults in existing products and services which you could eliminate in a similar product or service. Imagine various alternatives that could be tried--ask yourself "What if...?" to think of creative ways to improve existing products and services.

3. Talk to potential customers to find out if there is a market for the product or service you plan to offer.

Key Questions

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