Innovative companies, customer base

This leads us to the realm of disruptive technologies. Christensen [8] presents the innovator s dilemma, where the large company focused on meeting current customer demand on a large scale ignores the disruptive opportunity because it looks like too small a market to make a difference on the balance sheet. Further, the opportunity is ignored because it does not fit in the current business model or address the needs of the current customer base. 

Specialty companies in particular have to understand their customers in detail, in order to generate value by product and service innovation that is based on a thorough understanding of customers and markets. In addition, they must keep every class of contender under close and constant scrutiny and evaluate competitive moves, particularly those from upcoming Asian entrants... 

Customer orientation and initial solution-free formulation of customers wishes, as an orientation for product development, appear to be promising approaches for innovations with regard to the application safety of chemicals-based products. However, the initiative for this is not mainly due to substance manufacturers, but rather to the chemicals users being close to the consumers. To what extent the commercial/industrial chemicals end-users (users of production auxiliary materials that are not included in the product) also transform the latent desire for application-safe products into effective demand behaviour, depends on other constellations of motives than those of private end-consumers. The employers liabihty insurance, chambers of commerce and industry, branch associations, trade unions and management boards of large-scale companies play a key role in making quality and competition effective as drivers for innovation here too. 

SAP is a market and technology leader in client-server enterprise application software, providing comprehensive solutions for companies of all sizes and from all industry sectors. Cultivating innovative technologies based on solid business experience, SAP delivers scaleable solutions that enable its customers to continuously improve upon best business practices. SAP products empower people to respond quickly and decisively to dynamic market conditions, helping businesses achieve and maintain a competitive advantage. 

It is a market with intense competition. In the period of 1997 to 2000, the company attempted to be the most efficient producer. However, TSMC quickly learned that the future success of the company was in the transition to service. As a result, the company has invested in a long lineage of service-based offerings to drive open-innovation for the customer s network positioning themselves as a partner, not a supplier or a competitor. 

The first products of bluesign s venture, made fi om synthetic fibers, have recently been introduced to the marketplace. Switzerland-based Schoeller Textil, a company known for its innovative performance fabrics, has produced a line of polyester fabrics made entirely without the use of environmental toxins. This new production process lowers energy consiunption by 85 percent and water consumption by 75 percent. The new production process for these fabrics requires less raw materials and eliminates toxic by-products, said Tom Weinbender, president, Schoeller Textil USA, Seattle, Wash. The quality of these cutting-edge fabrics is not compromised in any way, resulting in the same high standards that Schoeller customers expect. 

U.S. Safety is a privately-owned manufacturer and wholesaler of personal protective equipment specializing In eye, face and respiratory protection as well as turn-key prescription safety eyewear programs. U.S. Safety s focus Is protecting Individuals from workplace hazards with Innovative, cost-effective soiutions that deliver maximum performance and value. Based in Kansas City since its founding by A.F. Parmelee in 1935, U.S. Safely enjoys long-term relationships with Fortune 500 companies and small businesses alike. Personal attention to customer needs and responsive service, combined with products that meet the highest industry standards put U.S. Safety among the world leaders in personal protective equipment. Visitwww.ussafety.com... 

At the same time as the power in the distribution channel continues to shift from supplier to buyer, there is also a trend for customers to reduce their supplier base. In other words they want to do business with fewer suppliers and often on a longer-term basis. The successful companies In the coming years will be those that recognise these trends and seek to establish strategies based upon establishing closer relationships with key accounts. Such strategies will focus upon seeking innovative ways to create more value for these customers. 

Time-based organisations are more likely to meet customer needs accurately by using short product development times to produce new products that meet customer needs. The shortening of product development lead time means that innovations can be capitalised on to maximum effect. If a company innovates through product design faster than its competitors it will become increasingly... 

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