Original Creations: Individual Report on Product Development Strategy

This report analyzes the product development challenges faced by Original Creations, a company selling lifestyle products through direct mail. The report identifies key issues such as manufacturer problems, product quality concerns, staff expertise gaps, advertising deficiencies, and high product return rates. It provides strategic recommendations to address these issues, including improving communication with manufacturers, enhancing product testing and evaluation, implementing effective marketing campaigns, and fostering a customer-centric approach. The report also includes a reflection on key areas developed and an action plan using the SMART framework to guide the implementation of these recommendations. The report aims to assist the company in developing new products and assessing their market potential effectively. It emphasizes the importance of communication, effective strategies, and a focus on resolving the identified problems to ensure the company's long-term success.

Collaborative Activity and individual report
REPOTR aimed at the management of Original
Creations How this company can better develop
new products

CONTENTS
PART – 1 (INDIVIDUAL REPORT)........................................................................................1
EXCUTIVE SUMMARY..........................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
REASONS..................................................................................................................................2
KEY ISSUES PRESENT AT ORIGINAL CREATIONS.........................................................2
RECOMMENDATIONS...........................................................................................................4
Recommendations for reducing the product failure per department......................................4
Recommendations for role that can played by teams of each department in reducing
product returns........................................................................................................................5
Justification of the recommendations.....................................................................................5
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................6
PART – 2 (REFLECTION).......................................................................................................7
Reflection on the key areas developed...................................................................................7
An action plan using SMART framework..............................................................................9
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................12

PART – 1 (INDIVIDUAL REPORT)
EXCUTIVE SUMMARY
The main aim of the current research work is to identify the key reason behind the
failure of the products of “Original Creations”. The report has undertaken a business project
for providing a strategic recommendation along with the path to the founder of the business
that is Mary Shelley. The report will also be going to focus on issues being faced by the
company in detail, current performance, reasons and suggestions for making adjustments or
changes to their firm for better developing the new products and better assessing and
forecasting their market potential. It has been found out from the study that there are different
issues being faced by the company such as manufacturer, staff expertise, product quality and
returns, advertisement, lower sales and high rate of returns. For resolving these problems, it is
important on the part of the Original Creations to employ certain strategies and focus on
certain areas. It is being suggested to the company to emphasize on employment of testing
and evolution methods, feedbacks and review system, training of staff, more promotion and
advertisement campaigns and many more.
INTRODUCTION
For meeting the goals of the organization, communication plays a very crucial role. In
any business corporation, the key role of communication is being regarded as the processes of
exchanging important data. For the firms and businesses, this is one of the most crucial
factors and thus, they should have effective system or process of communication in place for
meeting the business goals within a specified period of time. Considering the current case
study, it is all about “Original Creations” which is a product designing firm. It deals in the
sales of lifestyle product through adopting a direct mail brochure. Variety of goods are being
offered by the firm such as birthday card kits, rainwear range of dogs and cats, health care
products, automatic air fresheners, hair clippers, dryers, garden flowers and many more
(Armenia and et.al., 2019). Currently, the company got their tenth product being failed that is
toenail clipper. Because of this failure, the overall volume of sales of the firm has declined
tremendously. In addition to this, the company has also postponed their venture after the three
unprofitable months. There are several issues which are being faced by the Original Creations
as their manufacturer clients are based on China. Based on this condition, the current research
report aims to present a project plan for discoursing the issues around the firm. It will also be
going to emphasize on understanding the business function and will encompass reasons and
1

recommendations for making adjustments or changes to their firm for better developing the
new products.
REASONS
This consultancy report related to the business case is being undertaken and prepared
for some specific reasons. The very first reason is to provide a strategic direction to the owner
of the company in regards with evaluating the manners in which the new product can be
developed by her. Secondly, for effectively assessing and forecasting their market potential.
In addition to this, it also provides a strategic direction to the decision maker along with
different stakeholders being involved in the case of Original Creations. The report will
discourse the issues around the firm and will also be going to emphasize on understanding the
business function and will encompass reasons and recommendations for making adjustments
or changes to their firm for better developing the new products (Li, He and Minner, 2021). As
per the given scenario in the case study, the Marry Shelley the owner of the company has
postponed her business subsequent to the three useless months of making an effort of
launching a novel product in the market. the CEO is concerned in regards with the current
failure of their 10th product that is toenail clipper. In addition to this, most of the manufacturer
of the firms are from abroad and mainly China. Original Creations faces many
communication challenges while dealing with these producers. Further, the report is also been
undertaken for evaluating different departments of the firm and the role being played by each
of the department in
KEY ISSUES PRESENT AT ORIGINAL CREATIONS
Talking in relation with the key issues being faced by the Original Creations, it can be
said that there are major problems surrounding the firm and they needs to be resolved for
sustaining the business for longer period of time and for attaining growth and success in near
future. Some of the issues being faced by the company are as follows:
 Manufacturer issues – One of the most crucial and important issue being faced by the
Original Creations is related to the producer. Since, the company does not produce
anything they purchase their products from different foreign manufacturers and the
chief producer of their products is China. They give their prototypes to them and the
producers in China makes and develops products accordingly. However, there are
language barriers with the suppliers in China and the products being supplied are only
checked and monitored on arrival and then they are sent to the clients (Yawar and
2

Seuring, 2018). Further, the employees are unable to communicate effectively and the
products are not meeting the demands of the clients. ad evidenced from the case study
being given, there are negative feedbacks from the clients and the products of Original
Creations are returning.
 Product quality and usefulness – Some of the clients of the company are making
regular complaints and giving negative feedbacks in regards with the products being
supplied to them by the firm. There are fundamental checks of the products and there
is no employee who can monitor, review the manufacturing of goods and reduce any
sort of damage being caused in the inventory. It is quite evident from the case that
some of the customers of the firm are telling that their products are damage and there
are quality issues as well. In addition to this, because of this issue, the overall volume
of the sales is decreasing at a fast pace and even the products are returning. This is the
key problem being faced by the CEO of Original Creations Mary Shelley.
 Staff expertise – From the evaluation of the case of the firm it has been determined
that the Mary Shelley the CEO of Original Creations have hired employees through
recruiting agencies, which has resulted in selection of inexpert and unexperienced
human resource or staff which has further resulted into lower level of motivation
along with efficiencies of the workers (Hefley and Bottion, 2021). Other than this,
initiating with the founder of the firm, she has offered a personal input on the launch
of the novel products, which is not her field of expertise. Secondly, the two directors
are also from the technical backgrounds. The human resource team of the firm is very
young and unexperienced. Additionally, there are different positions within the firm
which are not appropriately covered like advertisement, testing procedures and
development of product.
 Advertising issues – It has been found out from the evaluation of the case study that
Original Creations pays very little efforts on the marketing of their products and even
the research of the market is being performed very less before introducing the
products into the market. In other words, it can be said that there is very amount of
promotion coverage, recommencing majorly to regulars, which are most of time every
disappointing with the experience of the company or the website, which does not
unavoidably produce novel customers (Rodgers and Belobrovkina 2022).
 Returns and lower sales – From the case, it has been originated that the company is
facing the issue related to high returns and lower number of sales. The major reason
behind this high rate of return of the products and low sales of the products is the
3

quality of the product. It is evident from the case that some of the of the firm are
telling that their products are damage and there are quality issues as well. due to this,
they are returning back the products to the company.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In the above section, different issues being faced by the Original Creations have been
identified in detailed manner. As per the scenario being given in the case and their analysis, it
is important to give some justified and supported suggestions for the ways company should
male adjustments or make modifications to their firm for better developing their new
products and for better assessing as well as farecasting their market potential (Gunasekaran,
Subramanian and Ngai, 2019). These suggestions being offered in the below section
addresses all the major issues or problems that the CEO of the company Mary Shelley is
coming across or being determined the case study. additionally, they are also being supported
by credible sources from academic literatures. Some of the important recommendations are as
follows:
Recommendations for reducing the product failure per department
There are different strategies which needs to be adopted by teams of different
departments in regards with decreasing the rate of product failure and improving the quality
of their products. Firstly, it is crucial that the manager of the company and other employees
of the departments must make comparison of the quality along with the prices of same kind
of products already present in the market and must determine the probable competitors
effectively. furthermore, it is also important that a chain of suppliers without gaps must be
developed and emphasis should be made on utilization of good quality raw-materials. This
will support the firm in reducing the quality issues in their products as noted by the customers
in their feedbacks. Other than this, it is also suggested to the CEO of Original Creations to
have their own customized packaging which can be easily recognized by the clients. this in
turn will help in reducing the damages of the products as customers have complained that
they receive damaged products and because of that they are returning the products. The new
developments should be discussed with all the members of the firm and their opinions should
also be asked for making them feel a part of the company (Zhang and et.al., 2019). With this,
they will feel motivated and work even more hard for accomplishing the goals of the
company.
Moving further, it is also highly suggested to the company to test as well as evaluate
the product prior going to sale them as in the current case, it is quite evident that the products
4

are directly sold to the clients as and when they receive from their manufacture. There is not
monitoring and controlling being performed which has increased the rate of damage.
Furthermore, it has been identified from the analysis of the case that Original Creations spent
very less amount on marketing and promotional activities. the firm is coming across with the
issues related to advertisement and thus, it is recommended that the media team of the firm
should perform a good marketing as well as advertising campaign by employment of multiple
channels like social media, posters and online channels (Deepak and Jeyakumar, 2019). They
should also look for fastest and most beneficial way of delivery their products and must work
on creating a system for defective product recall which is simple for all the groups of clients.
Moreover, the reason behind the product return must be investigated while maintenance of
effective customer support. In this regards, continuous and timely surveys or feedbacks must
be taken for knowing the market demands and opinions of the clients. It has been originated
that the staff within Original Creations are not efficient and skilled enough and thus, training
and development activities must be promoted within HR department. finally, such conditions
along with support needs to be developed for the staff members that they sense a part of the
firm.
Recommendations for role that can played by teams of each department in reducing product
returns
There are different teams being available within the firm that may have an important
role in decreasing the returns of the product such as suppliers, advertising, operations, human
resource and project management. First if all, for the firm which has its core sales from
innovation plus interest, there is an involvement of irrelevant promotion. Original creations
have promoted their products among existing clients and thus, they have limited client base
considering the negative feedback and also, very few amount is invested in digital marketing.
Thus, it is important to invest in this direction (Gaither, 2017). Secondly, there are varied
form of issues with the suppliers which has influenced the supply chain, operations and on
time of delivery of products. Thus, company should focus on supplier chain diversification.
Moreover, the project management team lacks expertise of introducing new products and
thus, there is a requirement of testing as well as evaluation of the novel products prior
introducing them in the market. through these ways, the future disappointments along with
negative feedback of the clients can be avoided (Ambilkar and et.al., 2022).
5

Justification of the recommendations
From the evaluation of the case study of Original Creations being given, it has been
found our that the firm is suffering from majorly two issues existing issues and they are
mainly failure of the already existing products and the second is high rate of product returns.
For solving the product failure issue, it is important that the manager of the company should
begin from the selection of the best quality of raw-materials. It is also important to have
effective organization of the supply chain of these raw-materials (Ghomi-Avili and et.al.,
2021). Other than this, there is one more point which should not be ignored is correct
evaluation of the market on the product which is in question, its level of demand in the
market, competition in relation with the price and finally modernism. In addition to this, for
resolving the second problem that in relation with the return of the products, it is important to
generate a clear, effective, quick and simple system for collecting the products. It is also
important that the firm should not underestimate the simplicity of the services which is
devoid of too much of bureaucracy and carrying out further surveys on satisfaction of the
clients. nevertheless, from the surveys being performed by the personnel of Original
Creations, novel approaches, enhancements as well as reconstruction of the product can also
be utilized in the future time period and consequently, the financial losses can be reduced
significantly (Trainer, 2021).
CONCLUSION
Therefore, from the above analysis, it can be said that the case firm that is “Original
Creations” is coming across with different issues and the CEO of the firm Marry Shelley is
concerned about losing the right direction for her business. the above report has significantly
evaluated the whole case study and has determined the key issues surrounding the company.
Based on the evaluation of the issues being identified different recommendations for
decreasing the failure of the product along with the role that can be played by teams of each
department in reducing product returns were being discussed significantly. Further, it can be
said that it is important that the firm should emphasize on above suggested strategy for better
evaluating and forecasting the market potential and minimizing their issues.
6

PART – 2 (REFLECTION)
Reflection on the key areas developed
It is important to make sure that learning is a lifelong process and in case if any
individual desires to learn something then it can be carried out at any point of time and place
or location. Learning can be learned by experience or education or through some formal
training and development sessions and therefore, I have also learned several things and also
developed my skills by working in class and previous assignments, feedbacks and practice
week. After accomplishing the business evaluation, the areas in which I experience key skills
and abilities development are being illustrated in the below section:
Communication
From the learnings in the modules of previous semester, I can identify the key points
about how effective it is to communicate and interact with others. By continuous evaluation
and development of my personal communication skills, I have identified my lacking and
growing areas by sharing the viewpoints with others in the classroom and listening to others
also helped me. In the attended modules, I was able to read and recognize various articles and
related sources that critically mentioned the uses of effective communication with the help of
Belbin's team roles and communication styles. In the theory it was clearly described how to
interact with others in a team by both verbal and written communication types. It helped me
in the evaluation of the importance of the learning procedures.
Numeracy
In the case of numeracy, according to me the modules were quite memorable as these
enhanced my practices in numeracy, a skill which is very competitive in the area of numbers.
I have now become confident of myself that my experience in performing numeracy has risen
with the help of various data, figures, and statistics applied. The learning modules acted as
achievement of desired score in the area and an inspiring tone with the adequate and acquired
skills of teachers (Hudson, Ballou and Willoughby, 2021). I also learnt how important it is to
make use of adequate number of graphs such as statistical, frequency, and exponential, etc. to
measure and depict the required interpretation about some data given and the importance of
such practices in the assignments I was involved into.
Information and communication tools (ICT)
While carrying out the research project or the case analysis of Original Creations, I
have utilized Microsoft Office program because it was in need to finish the project. I also
7

worked with MS Word and thus, this has improved my knowledge and understanding about
this program. Other than thus, I also got the opportunity to lean in regards with different
novel technologies which are now being utilized and executed throughout the coronavirus
pandemic for offering online education to the students such as Microsoft Team, Zoom etc.
Even I also got to know that the university is offering online course materials to the students
and it is also being performed by utilizing communication technologies (Ross, 2018). Thus,
overall, my experience of learning was exciting.
Problem solving
After finishing of the assignment and other practice work, I also developed my
problem-solving skills and abilities. I came across with different problems while carrying out
my project work. However, I resolved them through effective planning and discussion with
my mentors and tutors.
Working with others
Teams are being referred as one of the most crucial sections of each and every firm and if
teams are operating effectively then firms can normally make large degree of profits. While
completing this project, I also worked with team and comprehend that functioning in a team
is quite necessary because it helps in reducing the overall work pressure and support in timely
completion of work. The overall learnings can be explained with the help of Belbin’s team
development roles (Genç, 2017). There are eight varied roles that are being played with in a
team and these are:
 Plant – They are the problem solver who offers creative and innovation solution to the
issue.
 Shaper – They remove the obstacles and are very courageous.
 Resource investigator – They are extrovert and network with different people for
exploring novel opportunities.
 Coordinator – They are head of team and coordinates everything.
 Monitor evaluator – They have good judgment power.
 Implementer – They are action oriented and turns ideas into actions.
 Completer – They undertake the accountability of completing the project.
 Team worker – They avoid conflicts within team (Bednár and Ljudvigová, 2020).
Out of all these different roles, I have played a role of resource investigator as I went
to deep research for exploring the topic in the detailed manner and communicated with
8

different people regarding understanding varied types of things while completing the
assignments and projects.
An action plan using SMART framework
Particular S
Specific
M
Measurable
A
Attainable
R
Relevant
T
Time bound
Communicatio
n
The overall
communicatio
n skills will be
developed by
engaging
students in
collaborative
programmes.
The plan will
be measured
in terms of
overall
achievement
of goals and
objectives.
It will be made
attainable on
the basis of
motivating
them to
contribute
their best.
The relevancy
will be
established on
the basis of
keeping tracks
and records of
the activities
done by the
students.
A specific
time period
will be set to
match the
deviations
with standards
set as to depict
that the goals
were achieved
on time or not.
Numeracy The skills
required in
adopting the
numerical
stability to
cope up with
importance of
data.
The required
and acquired
skills can be
matched by
attending
online tutorials
and other
sources of
information.
The goal is to
improvise the
numeracy
skills by being
consistent in
the learning
process.
To measure
the relevancy,
various
assignments
will be done
by the
students.
This will be
done in the
time period of
one month for
depicting
improvisation.
ICT skills The use of
ICT skills to
produce high
quality results
in the field of
information
and
technology.
Measuring
will be done
by practically
applying the
learnt theories.
Various recent
trends will be
identified to
manage the
utilization of
activities.
The critical
thinking and
analysation
ability of the
students will
be analysed.
The amount of
time taken by
the students to
use the tools
and
equipment.
9

Problem
solving
The ability to
improve
problem
solving
techniques in
order to
become
efficient.
Applying a
suitable model
to focus on the
solution to
measure the
accomplishme
nt.
Clearly
defining the
problem and
focusing on its
attainability.
To achieve the
relevancy of
the skill, a
case study will
be given to the
students.
Within the
limited time
set, the
problems have
to be set in
order to
prioritize the
time.
Working with
others
To establish
good working
relations with
everyone
among the
students.
Engaging the
students in
different team
work to
measure their
accountability.
Such activities
can be carried
out further by
evaluating
individual
contribution.
There will be
enhancement
in activities of
the students to
achieve the
overall
objectives.
The
collaborative
activities to
maintain good
relations will
be completed
in at least 3
months.
Gantt chart
Task
Mode Ta amesk N rationDu tartS iniF sh Predece orss s
A tou
c ed leS h u
d
ond ctin per onalC u g s
anal iys s da2 ys Mon 9/5/22 T eu 9/6/22
A tou
c ed leS h u
d
denti in t e e area orI fy g h k y s f
de elopmentv da5 ys edW 9/7/22 T eu 9/13/22 1
A tou
c ed leS h u
d
Anal in a oyz g w ys f
impro in t e lac in areav g h k g s da6 ys edW 9/14/22 edW 9/21/22 2
A tou
c ed leS h u
d
mplementin t e actionI g h
plan da3 ys Thu 9/22/22 Mon 9/26/22 3
A tou
c ed leS h u
d
e ie in and monitorinR v w g g da2 ys T eu 9/27/22 edW 9/28/22 4
A tou Attainment o t e ne illf h w sk s da1 y Thu 9/29/22 Thu 9/29/22 4,5
10

c ed leS h u
d
11

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ambilkar, P., Dohale, V., Gunasekaran, A. and Bilolikar, V., 2022. Product returns
management: a comprehensive review and future research agenda. International
Journal of Production Research. 60(12). pp.3920-3944.
Armenia, S., Dangelico, R.M., Nonino, F. and Pompei, A., 2019. Sustainable Project
Management: A Conceptualization-Oriented Review and a Framework Proposal for
Future Studies. Sustainability. 11. p.2664.
Bednár, R. and Ljudvigová, I., 2020. Belbin team roles in a start-up team. SHS Web of
Conferences. 83. p.01002.
Deepak, R.K.S. and Jeyakumar, S., 2019. Marketing Management. Educreation Publishing.
Gaither, N., 2017. Production and operations management: A problem-solving and decision-
making approach. Dryden Press.
Genç, R., 2017. The importance of communication in sustainability & sustainable strategies.
Procedia Manufacturing. 8. pp.511-516.
Ghomi-Avili, M., Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, R., Naeini, S.G.J. and Jabbarzadeh, A., 2021.
Competitive green supply chain network design model considering inventory
decisions under uncertainty: a real case of a filter company. International Journal of
Production Research. 59(14). pp.4248-4267.
Gunasekaran, A., Subramanian, N. and Ngai, W.T.E., 2019. Quality management in the 21st
century enterprises: Research pathway towards Industry 4.0. International Journal
of Production Economics. 207. pp.125-129.
Hefley, W.E. and Bottion, M., 2021. Skills of junior project management professionals and
project success achieved by them. International Journal of Information Systems and
Project Management. 9(1).
Hudson, K.N., Ballou, H.M. and Willoughby, M.T., 2021. Improving motor competence
skills in early childhood has corollary benefits for executive function and numeracy
skills. Developmental science. 24(4). p.e13071.
Li, S., He, Y. and Minner, S., 2021. Dynamic compensation and contingent sourcing
strategies for supply disruption. International Journal of Production Research.
59(5). pp.1511-1533.
12

Rodgers, S. and Belobrovkina, E., 2022. Using Photovoice Research for Advertising Theory.
Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising. 43(2). pp.137-154.
Ross, R.S., 2018. Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations:
A System Life Cycle Approach for Security and Privacy.
Trainer, A., 2021. Benefits Management - the Key to Success in Project Management. Project
Times.
Yawar, S.A. and Seuring, S., 2018. The role of supplier development in managing social and
societal issues in supply chains. Journal of Cleaner Production. 182. pp.227-237.
Zhang and et.al., 2019. Integrated design and operation management for enterprise
systems. Enterprise Information Systems. 13(4). pp.424-429.
13