3M takes a very long-term approach for the new product development method by creating innovation, which encourages risk-taking. The innovation means senior management makes the employees spend a major part of their time on research and product that are beyond the natural scope of responsibilities. It includes hosting ideation sessions wherein the innovation champion has an environment of openness and trust. Though a very percentage of spending in T&D may not guarantee success, it is doing quite well.
Analysis of the 3M NPD
The corporate culture and the corporate structure of 3M promote technological innovation as well as inter-company coordination. The managerial systems are discussed in our 3M NPD Strategy Process assignment help in Australia as follows:
Innovation strategy
The innovative products of 3M are made from the 30 technology platforms of the company. They offer wide base for the 3M products. It focuses on the technologies that have huge growth potential as the platform for additional products.
The technologies are transformed into commercial products in separate business units. The units have the responsibility for manufacturing, product innovation, and marketing functions and they are largely managed as independent businesses. The business units are thereafter organized into the product categories including healthcare, office, electronic, general industrial, and automotive.
It is responsible for various products that are developed in separate business units. The products include the following:
- new structure abrasives
- fasteners for the disposable diapers
- films and reflective sheetings for laptop computer screens
- The films that do not allow alteration of security badges and identification cards
Incentive systems
As highlighted in our 3M NPD Strategy Process homework help service, 3M has multiple programs for ensuring that good ideas are being developed. The Dual Ladder is a method that can equal the career ladder of sales staff, researchers, and other professionals to the management career ladder. Both the ladders have equivalent positions, prestige, and compensation. So, employees do not have to sacrifice their competency to reach greater levels in their companies. The company benefits to have experienced professionals who can function at high corporate levels.
The organizational structure
3M consists of many separate business units. Every unit is managed by an independent business. It uses the platform technologies for developing products and markets and manufactures the product. The business units differ in size as they grow from a project to a department or a division.
To develop products, the researchers integrate with Sales and Marketing for identifying customer needs and then working with customers during the development process. Besides identifying the customer needs, marketing, and sales cooperate with 3M for making 3M easy for the customers.