How can you effectively use your network for product development research?

LinkedIn connections are powerful when it comes to reaching out for research purposes. Things like Polls or invited key people to comment is useful. However, you can't beat the ability to have face-to-face conversations either in person or via Zoom/Teams. One of the key advantages of in person conversations is the ability to read body language, access expressions, and hear the tonality in someone's voice. Plus, it's easy to ask open ended questions which helps get to the core of what people really think. This would be my first choice! It's true that your network is your net worth!

One of the biggest challenge in any research project is getting valid and authentic responses. This depends, to a great extent, on the type of respondents. If you have a good network, you can use it to get good respondents. This , in turn, will help in getting valid and authentic responses. Another advantage of the network is that you can pick and choose respondents depending on the objectives of research.

Just ask! I have been very surprised, pleasantly surprised by how last week a large group of people sent me their best insights into a trends of the future research I was doing. What they shared was high quality and it was fast. I just made sure that my question was . worth answering, making the challenge worth it . useful also to them as they would learn from others . simple, just one insight . time bound, I please need this by ... mention a date coming up very soon. It worked surprisingly well, try asking, but also make sure you create a truly insightful group of networked friends ... and don't forget to also give generously back to them.

Define Clear Objectives: Determine if you seek qualitative feedback, quantitative data, or customer insights for your product research. Segment Your Network: Categorize contacts into groups like industry experts or potential customers for targeted questions. Customize Communication: Adapt your approach to suit different segments, using appropriate styles and tools. Offer Incentives: Provide value in exchange for their time and insights, such as exclusive access or recognition. Prepare Diverse Questions: Use both open-ended and closed-ended questions to gather a range of data. Feedback Loop: Share what you've learned with your network, showing respect for their contributions. Ethical Considerations: Respect privacy and consent!

Effectively utilize your network for product development research by engaging with industry professionals, gathering insights, and seeking feedback. Leverage social platforms, industry events, and professional connections to conduct surveys, interviews, and discussions. Collaborate with experts to identify market trends, consumer preferences, and potential challenges. Foster open communication, listen actively to diverse perspectives, and incorporate valuable input into the product development process, ensuring a well-informed and customer-centric approach.

Effectively utilize your network for product development research by engaging with industry professionals, gathering insights, and seeking feedback. Leverage social platforms, industry events, and professional connections to conduct surveys, interviews, and discussions. Collaborate with experts to identify market trends, consumer preferences, and potential challenges. Foster open communication, listen actively to diverse perspectives, and incorporate valuable input into the product development process, ensuring a well-informed and customer-centric approach.

Include the participants in your research in your research. Benefiting from the product and service that will come out after their help and support, being in a project that also serves their interests will increase the response and accuracy rates of the participants. Try to include absolute priority participants in test trials during the testing phase of your product.

Spot on with segmenting your network for product development research! It's like making sure you have just the right ingredients for a killer recipe. ??

Instead of spending time in network segmentation one should contact few industry experts in his/her network. They can guid as per their experiences. In second phase it should be tested in peers, prospects or people with common interests

Having a network does nothing if you don’t engage them! It doesn’t have to be (and probably shouldn’t) everyday, but the appropriate amount depending on who they are and your relationship. There are various methods for different levels. Some a “reaction” or a comment to their LI post is enough. Others a regular call, video chat or in-person coffee / lunch is appropriate. Engagement needs to go both ways. Don’t forget to add value to the relationship as well. Be sincerely interested in their personal life as well as professional. Find ways to support , encourage, and challenge them. Those are the connections I enjoy engaging with the most!

Talk to people, as people, to determine if what you perceived as a problem actually frustrates them too. How so? How much? How often? Then dig deeper by asking them, "what else?" Your network is your fastest feedback cycle for determine product market fit. Use that as the base for more detailed research that affirms, at scale, what your network is telling you.

I’m my recent book I read it talked about the “Three Degrees of Influence” and how essentially we are all homophiliy our tendency to associate and bond with others similar to ourselves. For example you have 20 close contacts at work, 5 colleagues, 5 piers and 10 team members. You indirectly connected to 400 other associates at two degrees of separation. Imagine our true influence!

Leverage your network for product development research by engaging with industry professionals, experts, and potential users. Conduct surveys, interviews, and discussions to gather valuable insights and feedback. Tap into diverse perspectives within your network to identify market trends, preferences, and unmet needs. Collaborate with individuals who possess relevant expertise to refine your product strategy and enhance its features. Utilize networking events, online platforms, and existing connections to build a comprehensive understanding of the market landscape and ensure your product aligns with customer expectations.

Learn effective communication skills for different networks.Theres a difference in how we communicate to our networks who are policy makers and how we would communicate to other networks eg religious leaders.Mastering the right way to communicate will enhance responsiveness from specific networks .

Analyzing your research results from various segments is very crucial and one has to understand what I want to achieve with what resources I have in hand. Target peers giving you feedback will have their own version of thoughts and driven by their needs and experience. This is good to collect and think upon. But in the final stage you need to take the output which you can add in your product in given timeframe and with available resources. Sometimes research feedback are good but you may find that you don't have time to pursue it before the deadline. Just don't get carried away with overwhelming feedback and add it for later version of product release. Remember you need to be there out in market with your working product/Idea/concept.

Analyzing results provides a clear insight into the performance and effectiveness of your actions. It helps identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement. This enables informed decision-making, adjustments in strategies to maximize positives, and corrections where things aren’t working. It also aids in understanding customer preferences, optimizing internal processes, and forecasting future trends, allowing for swift adaptation to the market and maintaining a competitive edge.

Harnessing your network for product development research involves reaching out to industry connections, seeking their insights, and leveraging their expertise. Conduct interviews, surveys, or focus groups with relevant contacts to gather valuable feedback. Utilize professional platforms and forums to engage in discussions, share ideas, and stay informed about industry trends. Collaborate with network members for beta testing or pilot programs, allowing for real-world feedback. By actively involving your network, you can tap into diverse perspectives, validate concepts, and enhance the overall quality of your product development process.

Always add risk steps to your project content Unsuccessful tests, market changes or financial problems in the ongoing stages of the project can create problems at levels that may lead to the cessation or even cancellation of your work. test the success rate of your project, especially financially, by making frequent repetitions in the project steps.

Exceptional insights in your post! Delving deep into data analysis truly enhances a product's value. Continue to disseminate your knowledge – it's tremendously beneficial.

It truly takes a village. I’ve learned more when I was a consultant for 10 years than the other 11 years of my industry experience. Mostly that was because I was constantly meeting new people, problem solving with teams and networking. I would share my experiences, and listen to theirs. I still do that and it makes a huge difference. It is awesome to see an idea get refined and turn into reality!

Don’t do anything as per your assumptions. Be consistent and apply the points you found in analysis. Always give second thoughts in making any decisions. I am again emphasising on one point product should be inline with your business. By applying your learnings you may come out with proper product development strategies which may save cost and make beautiful products

I work hard (but enjoy it) at maintaining my professional relationships I have build during the 20+ years in the food industry. A simple email, text, LI message or comment are quick easy ways to keep connected. However, I feel a call, Teams meeting, and face-to-face are necessary at some frequency to maintain connection. Truly caring about their personal life as well as career can deepen the connections. I have a handful of professionals I can (and do) call at anytime for advice and discussion on a multitude of topics, and they can and do the same with me! #ittakesavillage.

Make them part of key stakeholders in your plan is by making them board members.This will likely make them share information generously as the success of the product will directly translate to their success.

I absolutely agree, it’s a privilege to connect with other industry professionals. Even if you work in different aspects of the field and currently can’t promote growth or revenue. But it’s those connections that help foster growth in the future. Reach out! Inquire about another individuals field and personal life in a professional manner. Learn something! Have a qualified SME to call on if the opportunity presents itself. Hopefully along the way you build viable relationships!

A great quick and easy way to do a product development market research is by using Linkedin Polls feature. It's a great way to reach out to your network and find out what they think.