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Saturday, October 26, 2024

g-f(2)3083 The Future of Design: Crafting Products That Evolve with Users

 


genioux Fact post by Fernando Machuca and ChatGPT


Introduction


In an era where consumers’ needs are continually evolving, and environmental concerns are pressing, designing products that grow rather than quickly become obsolete offers a transformative approach. The article "Design Products That Won’t Become Obsolete" from Harvard Business Review, co-authored by Vijay Govindarajan, Tojin T. Eapen, and Daniel J. Finkenstadt, explores how adaptable products can cater to changing user demands over time, providing both economic and environmental benefits. These products—referred to as “products that grow”—are designed to evolve alongside their users, extending product life, reducing waste, and fostering sustainable growth.



genioux GK Nugget


"Creating products that evolve with user needs promotes sustainability and long-term customer loyalty, offering a powerful alternative to the wasteful cycle of planned obsolescence." — Fernando Machuca and ChatGPT, October 26, 2024



genioux Foundational Fact


Designing “products that grow” allows companies to meet shifting consumer demands and embrace sustainable practices. Unlike traditional static products, adaptable products remain relevant over time, benefiting users through enhanced utility and fostering brand loyalty. This innovative approach emphasizes the importance of continuous engagement, modularity, and software updates, allowing products to remain current without requiring full replacements.



The 10 Most Relevant genioux Facts


  1. Adapting to User Growth: Products that evolve, such as toys that grow with children, adapt to users’ development and needs over time.
  2. Addressing Age-Related Changes: Products for aging users incorporate features that help meet mobility or visual needs, accommodating their evolving requirements.
  3. Technological Updates: Products like smart devices, vehicles, and appliances benefit from regular software updates that enhance functionality and longevity.
  4. Modular Design: Configurable hardware, such as modular smartphones or appliances, allows users to update or replace components, extending the product's life.
  5. Environmental Impact: By reducing the frequency of replacements, adaptable products help reduce waste and environmental impact, aligning with sustainability goals.
  6. Enhanced Engagement: Adaptable products encourage long-term customer interaction, fostering brand loyalty and community engagement.
  7. Flexible Market Positioning: Companies that offer products that grow can respond swiftly to changing market demands and consumer preferences without extensive overhauls.
  8. Product Longevity: Moving away from planned obsolescence, adaptable products provide greater value by remaining relevant over extended periods.
  9. Economic Viability: By charging for upgrades or offering complementary services, companies can monetize adaptable products while delivering continuous value to customers.
  10. Brand Differentiation: Adopting a product-growth strategy helps companies stand out in a market that increasingly values sustainability and innovation.



Conclusion


The strategy of designing products that grow offers a sustainable and profitable pathway for companies to meet evolving consumer needs while reducing waste. As market demand shifts towards adaptable and sustainable solutions, companies that embrace this approach can secure a competitive advantage, aligning their business models with the values of environmental responsibility and customer-centric innovation.



REFERENCES

The g-f GK Context


Vijay Govindarajan, Tojin T. Eapen, and Daniel J. Finkenstadt, Design Products That Won’t Become Obsolete, Harvard Business Review, From the Magazine (November–December 2024).



ABOUT THE AUTHORS


Vijay Govindarajan is the Coxe Distinguished Professor at Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business, a Dartmouth-wide chair and the highest distinction awarded to Dartmouth faculty; a Faculty Partner in the Silicon Valley incubator Mach49; and Senior Advisor at the strategy consulting firm Acropolis Advisors. He is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His latest book is Fusion Strategy: How Real-Time Data and AI Will Power the Industrial Future. His Harvard Business Review articles “Engineering Reverse Innovations” and “Stop the Innovation Wars” won McKinsey Awards for best article published in HBR. His HBR articles “How GE Is Disrupting Itself” and “The CEO’s Role in Business Model Reinvention” are HBR all-time top-50 bestsellers. Follow him on LinkedIn.


Tojin T. Eapen is the founder of the Center for Creative Foresight, a senior fellow at the Conference Board, and an adviser at StratRocket.


Daniel J. Finkenstadt is a U.S. military officer, an academic researcher, and the principal of Wolf Stake Consulting. He is a coauthor of the books Supply Chain Immunity (2023) and Bioinspired Strategic Design (2024).



Classical Summary of the Article


The article "Design Products That Won’t Become Obsolete" from Harvard Business Review emphasizes the importance of creating products with longevity and adaptability in a world where technology and consumer preferences evolve rapidly. Traditional product development often leads to obsolescence, as products become outdated or irrelevant due to rapid technological advancements and changing consumer needs. This approach, while fueling repeat purchases, increasingly contributes to environmental waste and fails to meet consumers’ growing demand for sustainable, durable goods.


To counter this, the article proposes a framework for designing “adaptive products” that can evolve over time, remaining relevant and valuable to consumers long after their initial purchase. These adaptive products are designed with modular components that can be easily upgraded, repaired, or customized, extending their functional lifespan and ensuring they stay aligned with users' evolving needs. The approach also involves embracing a circular economy model, where products are developed with end-of-life considerations, promoting recycling, refurbishment, or part replacements.


The article highlights several benefits of adaptive product design, including increased customer loyalty, reduced environmental impact, and improved cost efficiency by minimizing the need for consumers to frequently replace products. However, designing for adaptability requires a shift in business models, encouraging companies to rethink revenue models, product lifecycles, and value propositions. Emphasizing the need for a forward-thinking approach, the article encourages companies to prioritize sustainability and consumer satisfaction by creating products that can endure the test of time and technology.






The categorization and citation of the genioux Fact post


Categorization


This genioux Fact post is classified as Bombshell Knowledge which means: The game-changer that reshapes your perspective, leaving you exclaiming, "Wow, I had no idea!"


Type: Bombshell Knowledge, Free Speech



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REFERENCES



“genioux facts”: The online program on "MASTERING THE BIG PICTURE OF THE DIGITAL AGE”, g-f(2)3083, Fernando Machuca and ChatGPT, October 26, 2024, Genioux.com Corporation.


The genioux facts program has established a robust foundation of over 3082 Big Picture of the Digital Age posts [g-f(2)1 - g-f(2)3082].



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