Course in May a "must attend" for product developers in SA Food Industry

Course title: Product Development from concept to launch. An introduction Venue: Room 2, Food Technology Building, Bellville Campus of CPUT(Directions available on request) Dates: 24 – 26 May 2011 (We have to limit the number of delegates to 25 to ensure individual attention during the practicals) Cost: R8 500 (ex. VAT) Included: • A folder with course notes. • A CCFRA publication entitled “Product Development Guide for the Food Industry. Guideline No. 8” • Morning and afternoon Teas and Coffees, Lunches and a gourmet meal in the form of a “Diagnostic Dinner” – an integral part of the course Course description: The course has been specifically designed by Campden BRI for those people new to product development or those from different areas who require an understanding of the product development process. The overall aim of the course is to lead delegates through the main topic areas and intersperse it with practical sessions that allow the delegates to put some of the skills learnt into practice. During the course they will develop a product right from idea generation through to making the product and presenting it to a mock retail panel. Delegates are split into groups from different technical backgrounds, they stay in these groups through all the practical sessions to encourage teambuilding and interaction between thedifferent skills bases they will have. The Campden BRI model runs over two days, but the courses offered in May will include an optional third day on the 26th of May. This third day will offer delegates insight into aspects to consider when selecting ingredients for particular product applications, the range available to the product developer in the different classes of ingredients. The presentations will be as interactive as possible within the time constraints. The objective is to equip delegates with a firm idea of where to start when particular ingredient functionalities are required in a product. Who should attend? • Novice/Trainee technologists in Research and Development and New Product Development (NPD) This saves managers time and money, since novice technologists are orientated within two days, freeing up and taking the pressure of basic training of the senior staff to continue with their projects • Food technologists/ Food industry professionals who have been working in areas other than Product Development (like production, quality control and assurance and so on), who now need a ‘refresher course’ with up to date information • Marketing managers – to bridge the well-known gap in understanding between Research and Development and Marketing • Product technologists in the Retail sector – to gain an understanding of the principles behind and the challenges around NPD in the Food Industry • Business owners/ suppliers who have no formal Research and Development or New Product Development structures or procedures in place “NEW IMPROVED”Course delegates can look forward to a revamped course, focused more than ever on the South African Food Industry and Consumer. We are privileged to have Ms. Sydlene Hector on board as a partner. Presently with Synorich Consulting, Sydlene has more than 10 years of experience in Research and Development in leading companies in South Africa, with a recent stint as a consultant in Argentina. Adding her wealth of experience in Research and Development to the existing course, the new course will be not-to- be-missed value for money indeed. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY, CPUT, Cape Town Posted by: CMB Consultants @ e-WiseKnowledge Library http://www.ewklibrary.com Posted by Innovate It ! at 3:15

POLL RESULTS!

Questions asked:

1. How important is specialized knowledge in innovation?
2. Do companies know how to manage innovation successfully?

Thank you to everyone taking part in the poll!

Although the results are not statistically significant, it is interesting to note that 60% of the votes expressed indicated that specialized knowledge is essential in innovation.

With regard to the second question, 40% of the votes indicated that the voters were unsure whether companies knew how to manage innovation successfully. The other votes were split evenly between "yes, companies do know how to manage innovation successfully" and "no, companies do not know how to manage innovation successfully".

Perhaps you will agree that this is an interesting result -- especially with regard to the second question. When the results from the two questions are read together, perhaps we should question whether a lack of appropriate knowledge and skills are not having a negative effect on the management of innovation in companies!
If this is so, many companies may be spending much on innovation without success.
Even worse -- they may be appointing the wrong people to "get the job done"!
Thinking a little down the line, perhaps some companies will have a low success rate when it comes to innovation -- and this when innovation, new products and optimized existing products and -processes are important to company growth (acquisitions excluded).....

Interesting.....

For now --

Why not have a look at our new polls?

Something different this time.
The first question is about disruptive innovation, and the second is all about reverse engineering.

Have your say!!

CMB
http:www.ewklibrary.com

Results : Innovation- and Consumer Insight polls

Polls Closed!

Our first two polls closed on 31 December 2007.
Thanks for voting!

With regard to the first question, all participants agreed that innovation was very important in any company.

With regard to to the second question, not everyone agreed that consumer insight was an important resource in every company! Interesting indeed -- perhaps we need more of you to have your say on these issues?

Since only a few of you took part in the first polls, we'll repeat the questions again a little later in the year -- remember to make your opinion known -- vote!

Our new polls are already up and running -- why not have your say? You can vote until 1 March 2008 and are most welcome to post comments to motivate your opinion!

On this second day of the new year our wish is that 2008 may be a special year for you and yours -- remember -- you can make a difference -- just "believe it" ... and then "do it"....

CMB
http://www.ewklibrary.com/