Publications

Following the path of companies such as Apple and Amazon, more and more firms are trying to become not just product purveyors but also platform providers, facilitating direct connections between customers and other groups. Although launching a platform can... View Details

March 2011
Teaching Note

The CW: Launching a Television Network

By: Anita Elberse

Teaching Note for 507050. View Details

Keywords: Business Ventures; Product Launch; Television Entertainment; Telecommunications Industry

October 2008 (Revised March 2011)
Case

Curled Metal Inc.—Engineered Products Division

By: Benson P. Shapiro and Frank V. Cespedes

Curled Metal Incorporated has declining sales but has developed a new product (curled metal pile driver pads) that, in field tests, deliver customer benefits that are many times CMI's manufacturing costs. Joseph Fernandez and Rajiv Sanwal of CMI's Engineered Products... View Details

Keywords: Price; Product Launch; Product Positioning; Business Strategy

Web

Launching Tech Ventures - Course Catalog

Launching Technology Ventures (LTV) is designed for four types of students: Those who will start their own companies. Those who will join early-stage startups (typically in a product manager, business... View Details

June 1994 (Revised March 1995)
Background Note

New Product Commercialization: Common Mistakes

By: V. Kasturi Rangan

Addresses the common mistakes made in new product development and launch. Many times customers' and suppliers' perceptions of the degree of product/market innovation do not match. One of them may view the innovations as a "breakthrough," but the other may view it only... View Details

Keywords: Product Development; Product Launch; Problems and Challenges

13 Aug 2018
Blog Post

Following My Dream: Launching a Venture

Throughout my entire career, I’ve always been tempted by the entrepreneurial journey but have never had the courage to quit an existing opportunity and work on my own start-up. Coming to HBS, one of my main goals was to launch a venture.... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship

April 2010 (Revised November 2011)
Teaching Note

Soren Chemical: Why is the New Swimming Pool Product Sinking (Brief Case)

By: V. Kasturi Rangan and Sunru Yong

Teaching Note for 4190 View Details

Keywords: Marketing Mix; New Product Marketing; Pricing; Branding; Marketing Strategy; Price; Marketing Channels; Product Launch; Brands and Branding; Communication Strategy

20 Dec 2010
News

Harvard Business School Launches Fund for Student Start-Ups

23 Apr 2012
Research & Ideas

How to Brand a Next-Generation Product

When Apple launched its latest iPad, experts and nonexperts alike expected it to be dubbed "iPad 3," a natural follow-on to the second-generation iPad 2. Instead, the company called the new iPad just that: "the new... View Details

Keywords: by Carmen Nobel

March 2013
Case

An Entrepreneur's New Product Development Journey

By: Elie Ofek

This case tracks the new product development process undertaken by Gauri Nanda, the founder and CEO of Nanda Home, as she ventures to innovate beyond her initial product launches. Having achieved commercial success with her first product Clocky, a roll away alarm clock... View Details

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Decision Making; Product Development; Consumer Products Industry; Consumer Products Industry

13 May 2014
News

Harnessing the Power of Peer Pressure

Keywords: social data; peer pressure; product launch; consumer behavior

February 2001 (Revised July 2001)
Case

Competitive Dynamics in Home Video Games (G): Launching the Sega Saturn

Outlines the events leading up to the Sega's launch of its 32-bit console named Saturn. View Details

Keywords: Competitive Strategy; Product Launch; Video Game Industry

Article

Products to Platforms: Making the Leap

By: Feng Zhu and Nathan Furr

Following the path of companies such as Apple and Amazon, more and more firms are trying to become not just product purveyors but also platform providers, facilitating direct connections between customers and other groups. Although launching a platform can generate new... View Details

Keywords: Product; Digital Platforms; Expansion

Find at Harvard

Register to Read

January 2011
Case

Clean Edge Razor: Splitting Hairs in Product Positioning

By: John A. Quelch and Heather Beckham

After three years of development, Paramount Health and Beauty Company is preparing to launch a new technologically advanced vibrating razor called Clean Edge. The innovative new design of Clean Edge provides superior performance by stimulating the hair follicles to... View Details

Keywords: Project Management; Interdepartmental Relations; Organizational Change; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Leadership; Conflict Management; Product Positioning; Marketing Strategy; Relationships; Product Development; Consumer Products Industry; Consumer Products Industry

August 1996 (Revised November 2000)
Case

Hewlett-Packard Co.'s Home Products Division in Europe (A)

By: Michael Y. Yoshino and Carin-Isabel Knoop

In 1995, Hewlett-Packard Home Products Division (HPD) has the assignment to make Hewlett-Packard the third major home PC player worldwide. With the U.S. launch imminent, the HPD team has to decide how to enter the European market. View Details

Keywords: Decisions; Globalization; Product Launch; Market Entry and Exit; Competition; Information Technology; Technology Industry; Europe; United States

November 1992 (Revised June 1994)
Case

Packaged Products Company: Handy-Pak Introduction

By: Frank V. Cespedes and Laura Goode

The product manager and the market research director for a new line of snacking nuts are reviewing options concerning the upcoming roll-out of the product. These options include changes in pricing, promotional plans, and salesforce incentives intended to build support... View Details

Keywords: Price; Marketing; Marketing Channels; Product Launch; Distribution; Planning; Research and Development; Sales; Salesforce Management; Alignment; Consumer Products Industry; Consumer Products Industry

Find at Harvard

January 2019
Supplement

The De Beers Group: Launching GemFair for Artisanal Diamonds

By: Benjamin C. Esty and Daniel Fisher

In April 2018, the De Beers Group launched a pilot project called GemFair to create a new supply of ethically and environmentally sourced diamonds from artisanal and small-scale mines (ASM) in Sierra Leone. Whether this project would yield a meaningful supply of rough... View Details

Keywords: Diamonds; New Business; Strategy Development; Strategy Execution; Scope; ESG; Supply; Corporate Strategy; Business Strategy; Value Creation; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Consumer Products Industry; Consumer Products Industry; Sierra Leone; United Kingdom