Wednesday I received this email from my friend Pamela Slim over at www.escapefromcubiclenation.com (she’s awesome,, visit her site often, also her coaching prices are great and she really helps (and yes, I pay full price for her amazing help)).
Here’s what she sent me:
“I would like to share this (took off the name to protect identity) email that I got today.”
“I’d be interested to read about interactions you’ve had with successful product inventors. I am exploring what it takes to create a product that I’ve thought of. Whenever I look up inventors I find resources that look hobby-ish. I haven’t seen one with a professional feel. Maybe this is who inventors are, hobbyists looking to strike it big like
the rest of us.”"
I do see the “hobby” reference, and the confusing distinction about “inventions/inventors” and product development (it keeps me up at night). ‘Inventors’ I prefer to use the words “product developers” and professional ones at that, are thought of in many ways, this is my simple breakdown
1.wacky inventor: Has an idea, and has no idea what it takes to design, prototype, protect, manufacture, ship, sell, and market an idea, typically wastes a lot of time and money and accomplishes little to nothing.
2.Product developer-hobbyist class: someone who develops a product unrelated to their day job to generate extra income. They have a job they like, and while they’d like it to “hit” and get rich, or parlay it into a full time gig, no matter the outcome they’ll be ok, they’re doing it for enrichment, not as a do or die effort.
3.Product development professional: Typically a person (or design group). These people focus on a portfolio of products, with product life cycles. They may be a single person, generating 1 or many products, and know where to access the information they need to execute the many parts of product development. Typically as solitary actors, they have a technical bent (if not a degree). In the case of “development houses” the action is to move both in house designs forward and consultant level incoming ideas through as well.
The “Big difference” through all of that, is that on the professional side, it is the whole action. It is keeping all the balls moving all at once (or having a team to do it). There are some reputable firms and individuals available if someone does seek that. A great place to seek them out can be people who have to interface with individuals that interact with people and businesses of this nature and know where to start. Another way to go (especially for licensing) is to identify the industry being targeted with the idea, and make in-roads there. Many times a product can be developed and sold online to build a following, then ramped up in terms of production.
If they are looking for hobbyist data, it abounds and is free all over, however, true product development requires creation of a complete “business” (no matter how small or large). The only way to cut the amount of “business” required is to license directly (again this can be done with a reputable product development/design house).
The knowledge base to look for in a professional is this:design, manufacture, web, marketing, sales, fulfillment/logistics, budgeting. Without at least some knowledge (or a relationship in all these areas) the group is likely on the “hobby” side.
The industrial design houses, that typically specialize in this sort of endeavor for large companies are also open to working with individuals (and frankly prefer it when they come with money). They are professional, have a process for all of this in place, and can work with an “idea person” to generate a working product from beginning to end.
A great place to start looking for a real design firm (and not an “invention group”) would be at idsa.org, or www.coroflot.com There are plenty of small scale (read 1 or 2 person teams) that are ready to help you make your great idea reality. They will cost you some money, (you’re lying to yourself if you feel otherwise). They likely will want to be paid for work done, you will rarely find people that are willing to partner for equity alone, they’ll want hourly and equity/royalties,, don’t worry, for the price you’re paying you’ll still be vastly better off, with a better design, a better product, a better supply chain, and a much better looking design.
I’ll generate a few more posts on this topic (finding designers, marketers, salespeople, and more)
Last but not least, there’s always me www.ds4design.com
Oh right, you’re already here.
Thanks again for the inspiration Pamela!
