The Vanilla Ice Product Development Model

Introducing the Vanilla Ice “Ice ice Baby” Product Development Model

Step 1: Stop.
Do the research first. Get a plan together.  Sit down, give it a bit of thought, clear the desk, and gather the stuff you need to make this idea happen.  Then get a decent meal and a good strong cup of coffee – if this is a half decent plan, it’s the last time you’ll have time for that luxury.

Step 2: Collaborate.
Work with the customers to produce something that makes you both happy. Team up with people. Licence the wheel from someone who’ll provide the back end support as well.  Work withm bnot

Step 3: Listen.
Use metrics, tracking and feedback to ensure you’re actually hitting the mark.  Take advice. Take criticism.  Take notes.  Take on me. Take me on. Track the twitter conversation (or the twitter silence), listen to the market, and act on what you’ve heard.

Step 4: Return with a brand new invention.
Upgrade. Redesign. Reinvent. Be flexible.  Add a feature. Restore a feature. Act on what the customer is saying would make the product a killer application.