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Concept to Launch: The innovation system for a startup

Sudhakar Kandanala • February 2, 2022

Concept to Launch: 

Develop a product or service that customers want to buy



How to streamline and automate your concept-to-launch process.


Concept-to-Launch process

 

From ideation to building and then to launching your organization's product and/or service is referred to as Concept to Launch. Concept-to-launch is an optimized and integrated product development methodology that reduces cycle time and costly design iterations. This guarantees clear communication from one milestone to the next, a smooth transition, and detailed documentation.

 

I. Ideation or Market Research:

 

The process of developing new ideas that may be turned into innovative solutions is known as ideation. Ideation is the foundation for all that comes before a product development and launch in the context of product innovation.

 

Document the idea for the product or service and all its related parts:

 

A product concept statement, often known as a "concept statement", expresses a business owner's and his design team's vision for a product or service. It gives a description of the product or service, discusses its purpose, presents its appearance and evaluates the target demographics for the product. A concept statement can assist a development team in staying on track during the development and testing process. It's possible for team members to ignore actual defects, as well as certain less-obvious beneficial characteristics of the service or product, during development or testing, if there isn't a clear declaration.

 

In the ideation stage, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis a useful tool. Screening of ideas and research is an objective screening process which must be used to filter the ideas that were generated. To gather the most usable data from this phase, use a combination of internal and external processes. Assess the reaction of the target market and ensure product validation. And Lastly, Concept development also calculates the expenses of designing, manufacturing, packing, and delivering the most popular product idea. Use third-party vendors or develop internal systems based on where you want to develop your core competency.

 

The features of the product or service:

  • Intangibility
  • Variability
  • Inseparability
  • Perishability

 

Benefits of the product or service innovation:

  • Building trust
  • New revenue streams
  • Taking control of the market
  • Employee motivation and retention

 

Market demand, Feasibility or viability of the product or service:


Consider different ecommerce niches and potential product ideas and evaluate the viability, specifically profitability, and customer requirements for each option. In the business world, viability refers to a market's, company's, or your own product's commercial potential. In other words, it's a term that describes the likelihood of a specific idea being commercialized.

 

II. Building or Manufacturing Process Development:

 

Building or Manufacturing Process Development refers to the creation of preliminary manufacturing processes and analytical procedures (e.g., in-process and final quality control and quality assurance protocols and methodologies) that support the production (and release) of Product employing the Manufacturing system.

 

Inputs required to build:

  • Raw material for products
  • Time and effort
  • Quality standards
  • Production tools
  • Software applications and data

 

Building or manufacturing process:

  1. Prototyping and evaluation - It is now time to get down to business with design and production. Create a working prototype or a rough mock-up. At this stage, some businesses perform a small-scale release. It's also possible to put together a small group of target buyers to test the nearly finished product.
  2. Iteration - This is also known as commercialization, and it is when your product is eventually released into the market. Essentially, this is the introduction of a minimal viable product (MVP) into the market.

 

III. Launch:

Launch refers to a company's concerted and planned attempt to introduce a new product or services to the market and make it widely available for purchasing.

 

Launch or communication process for the product/service for its intended market:

  • The objective of the launch
  • Target audiences
  • Statement of positioning and key messages
  • The issues that the product or service solves
  • Product description
  • Key activities and timelines for the launch
  • Ongoing lead generation

 

Software Applications that are relevant for this process:


Office Apps:

  • Zoho Docs - is a document management system that includes built-in web editors for creating and editing documents. 
  • Zoho Sheet - allows you to collaborate quickly and effortlessly by allowing you to create, modify, and share spreadsheets online. 
  • Zoho SHOW - is an online presentation tool that allows you to quickly and easily create, collaborate, publish, and broadcast presentations.
  • Zoho Workdrive - is a collaboration tool which allows teams to save, share, manage, and collaborate on files of any size.

Project Management tools:

  • Zoho Projects - is a cloud-based project management solution designed for small and midsize companies.
  • Zoho Sprint - is used for agile project planning and tracking. 
  • Zoho Connect - is an excellent modern business communication tool that is well-suited to a workforce that relies on mobile communication.

Collaboration tools:

  • Zoho Cliq - is a cloud-based team collaboration and communication solution that features team chat, audio and video calls, file sharing, and more.

Inventory management tool for bill of material:

  • Zoho Inventory - is a tool for keeping track of each product in your inventory.

 

How we help?

 

Sliver Business Services helps startups and scaleups in developing business systems. We typically serve small and medium-sized businesses, groups, and non-profit organizations implement a comprehensive, integrated business suite in alignment with their long-term IT Strategy and enable processes that execute with minimum friction.

 

At Sliver, we use Zoho applications to achieve the fastest implementation time for a Concept-to-Launch system, which is 50% faster than the industry average. Our full-service consulting and professional services help map out a company's particular implementation requirements, whether it's a small business, an enterprise, or something in between.  We integrate sales, marketing, and product and service departments on one platform improving drastically the customer experience. 


 

For more information visit us at https://www.sliverusa.com/systems-for-startups.  You can also email us at info@sliverusa.com or call us at +1 331.888.2627.


 


By Sudhakar Kandanala April 6, 2025
Transforming Salon Operations and Coaching Growth with Zoho One Introduction In the competitive beauty industry, efficient operations and innovative business models are key to staying ahead. Michelle, the owner of Inspired Style Company , exemplifies how technology can revolutionize a business. Leveraging Zoho One , Michelle has not only streamlined her salon operations but also built a scalable coaching model to inspire other beauty entrepreneurs. Her journey highlights the power of automation, systematization, and strategic planning. Background Michelle’s vision for Inspired Style Company was twofold: to deliver premium beauty services and to coach aspiring salon owners. Her salon serves as a model for entrepreneurs seeking to establish scalable and automated businesses. Six months ago, Michelle collaborated with Silver Business Services after observing their test demonstration store, www.jazzmanbarber.com. This collaboration was pivotal in refining her approach to integrating technology and building a sustainable business model. Challenges Before Zoho Implementation Before adopting Zoho One, Michelle faced numerous challenges that hindered growth and efficiency: Manual Processes: Managing daily operations manually consumed significant time and effort. Disconnected Systems: Marketing, booking, payroll, and client management operated independently, creating inefficiencies. Limited Automation: Routine tasks required constant attention, adding unnecessary workload. No Centralized Platform: Financial and employee management were scattered across multiple tools, leading to fragmented operations. Zoho Implementation Strategy Michelle’s journey with Zoho One began after her consultation with Silver Business Services. It enabled her to implement a focused strategy, integrating Zoho’s comprehensive suite of tools: Zoho Books: Streamlined financial management and accounting with real-time data insights. Zoho Inventory: Improved salon supply tracking and inventory management. Zoho Sites: Created a professional website to expand her offerings, including massage therapy. Zoho Payroll: Simplified payroll processes for employees and contractors. Zoho CRM: Centralized client data for salon operations and coaching, enabling automated follow-ups and better retention. Zoho Campaigns (Planned): Designed automated email marketing campaigns to engage leads and nurture client relationships. Zoho Meeting and Trainer Central: Transitioned from in-person coaching to online webinars and structured training programs. Results & Benefits The implementation of Zoho One brought remarkable transformations to Inspired Style Company: Increased Efficiency: Automation reduced manual workload, optimizing booking, financial tracking, and marketing. Scalability: Michelle’s streamlined operations enabled her to replicate and sell the system to other salon owners. Revenue Growth: Monetizing coaching programs through webinars and structured training created new income streams. Enhanced Credibility: Establishing herself as a thought leader in business automation strengthened her industry network. Future-Proofing: With Zoho’s robust tools, Michelle built a foundation for long-term growth and operational independence. Future Vision Michelle’s ultimate goal is to transition fully out of day-to-day salon operations and focus on coaching beauty entrepreneurs. Her vision includes: Three-Tier Coaching Model: Entry-Level Coaching: Supporting new beauty professionals in starting their businesses. Mid-Level Coaching: Helping overwhelmed salon owners scale operations efficiently. Advanced Coaching: Guiding multi-salon owners toward financial independence and reduced operational involvement. 2. Subscription-Based Coaching: Offering beauty professionals access to ongoing education and resources. 3. Affiliate Partnerships: Exploring opportunities with Zoho’s affiliate programs to generate passive income. Conclusion Michelle’s journey with Zoho One demonstrates the transformative potential of technology for small businesses. By addressing operational inefficiencies and creating a scalable model, she has transitioned from a hands-on salon owner to an educator and leader in the beauty industry. As Michelle states, “Zoho One and Silver Business Services’ ‘Systems for Startups’ blueprint is a must for any aspiring and bootstrapped entrepreneur in any industry.” To learn more about Michelle’s coaching programs, visit www.inspiredstyleco.com or email hello@inspiredstyleco.com. For expert Zoho implementation, visit Sliver Business Services or contact info@sliverusa.com / +1 331 888 2627. Transform your business today with the right systems and support!
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