discussion and two replies

 Discussion..

 Assignment Details

This DB has three parts. 

You have been selected to give a presentation to the sales department outlining the new product that will be introduced at the end of your team’s project.  You will be detailing the timeline to production and integration into the current product line offering.  Discuss the following:

How will you prepare for this presentation?  What are the specifics you will need to include?
What type of specific information do you think will be helpful to the sales team to be better able to market the new product to the customers?
Discuss how you would gain the sales team’s buy-in for this new product.

Read and Reply by agreeing or disagreeing and why!!

Reply 1

You have been selected to give a presentation to the sales department outlining the new product that will be introduced at the end of your team’s project.  You will be detailing the timeline to production and integration into the current product line offering.  Discuss the following:
1.  How will you prepare for this presentation?  What are the specifics you will need to include?
You need to make the presentation relevant. Organize the presentation and materials ahead of time. Make a list of what is needed in the way of information leaving nothing to chance. Know what you are trying to sell, your competition, the customer, and the market. Fact finding and organizing the information into logical order is critical. The discussion of the product must be adapted to the sales department members. Modify it to include specifics. Create a connection between the product and the sales department. Prepare a sample of the product that will eventually be used so that it is visual and hands on. Have knowledge of the product so you can respond to any objections or reservations that they may have about the product and be prepared to use their feedback.
2.  What type of specific information do you think will be helpful to the sales team to be better able to market the new product to the customers?
A starting date or delivery date is helpful. The benefits of the product, the cost, and the upside that the product can provide, how it can generate revenue for the company.
3.  Discuss how you would gain the sales team’s buy-in for this new product.
One of the most effective strategies for gaining buy-in on any project is to identify and engage the right stakeholders early if possible. Promote the benefits of using the product and believe in the product show enthusiasm and a positive attitude for what you are promoting.

Reply 2

 
Part 1
When attempting to present information in any area of a project the information should be precise and forthcoming. I would need to make sure that I had a full grasp of the project timeline, and effective communication skills to portray the timeline. It would be imperative for me to understand the product that is being presented. In order for me to adequately inform the involved parties I would need knowledge of the project, the risks that are involved, possible delays, and current progress on the project. It would also be necessary for me to know the integration process for the product. The exact items that will need to be known would include speculated timeline, actual timeline, budgetary concerns, staffing issues, if there is a lack of materials, basically any knowledge of the project issues, benefits, or concerns. This will help me adequately present the timeline, any possible delays in production or integration that could arise.
Part 2
The most helpful information, the sales team needs to know, is the target market. Who is the product intended for? Is there a chance another audience will find the product useful? Knowing what the unit cost is versus what the unit price will be is another important area for the sales team to focus on. It should not be the goal to merely break even the company should be able to generate a profit from the sale of the new product. Knowing how and who to promote the product to is also a very important tidbit of information for the sales team. The sales team should research their audience, the current price of like items on the market, and promote the product accordingly, (Barker, n.d.).
Part 3
I would explain the usefulness of the product to the sales team in order to gain their eagerness for the product. It is important that the sales team believe in the product otherwise it will be more difficult for them to convince customers to purchase the product. I would also feel it necessary to explain the monetary value of the product and promote the fact that it would add equity to the company. It could also be beneficial to explain that the product will open up a whole new market segment for the company as well.
References:
Barker, Shane, (n.d.). Inc. Magazine. 4 Things You Need to do Before You Launch a New Product. Retrieved from: https://www.inc.com/shane-barker/4-things-you-need-to-do-before-you-launch-a-new-product.html