As part of the Business Development team for ROBRADY design, I am on the front lines – one of the first levels of filtration to full engagement – and trust me when I say: I want your idea to be a home run! I’m a guy who will be pitching it to the review team and it only helps my task when something truly innovative crosses my path. I’m often inspired by what is presented; however, I can’t stress enough about the importance of “preparation”. Although you may have invented the next mousetrap, I need to know if it makes sense from a business stand point- is there a market? Is there a need? Can it be built affordable? And yes, is there a profit to be had?

Invention, of course, breeds innovation. Your best shot at success is to prepare your idea or invention to its fullest prior to presenting it. In all business there is a level of risk and when it comes to taking an invention to market there is substantially more. Have answers in your arsenal readily available of how to mitigate that risk.  Here is the checklist:


-Product Description


-Where / what is the market opportunity?


-Are there potential for different versions, accessories, monthly subscriptions, apps, etc?


-What is your experience in the industry?


-Be prepared to discuss your funding needs / capabilities.


Just yesterday we were presented a product which we thought had a tremendous amount of potential but weren’t sure of the market timing. It would have been to the inventor’s advantage if they had come to us with rough market research, an initial business plan or draft sales forecast. Proving the viability of the idea would have helped develop partnership opportunities sooner rather than later.

There is no skeleton key that will unlock the doors to success. In the current economic climate the market drives us; we do not drive the market. I am of the opinion that successful ideas making it to market these days are the ones that enhance proven products already in the marketplace. High unemployment numbers, down economy, loss of homes – we all know the drill. It’s likely that if consumers are going to part with their hard earned money it will be for something that makes a product they already understand even better.

“Look at market fluctuations as your friend rather than your enemy; profit from folly rather than participate in it.” – Warren Buffett

One of the highlights of the show was a Thursday evening dinner with the LEV association (Light Electric Vehicle). Led by Ed Benjamin of Benjamin consulting, the evening was a great networking opportunity for all those in attendance- a real global event. Across the board the conversations were very open and optimistic. Of special note, the market guidance was very bullish going forward. We had a chance to connect with designers from major manufacturers, start-ups, and authorities on the subjects of bicycles, all aspects of electric technologies and where the two might be heading in the future. Well worth the adventure of getting back to Konstanz through the late hours of via taxis, ferries, and buses… and a bit of walking of course.

UPDATE 09.09.09: Core77 has uploaded a nice gallery of images from their time at the show as well. Follow this link to check out their shots.

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This “designers notebook” features the first in a selection of photographs we shot while touring the first day of the show. You can find several sites that are covering the news and events of the show- we’re posting imagery that we’ve noted as interesting purely from a designers perspective. Enjoy.

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