Process Innovation Proposal: Apple Watch 2

Process Innovation Proposal: Apple Watch 2

Eric Freeman

OI/466

10/05/2015

Don Gemeinhardt

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Strategy Innovation Proposal: Apple Watch 2

Many are familiar with a well-known super power in the technology industry that goes by the name of Apple.  In the last couple years the android market had released an innovative technology that made gadgets from a James Bond movie become a reality through the means of their Galaxy Gear, and later Galaxy Gear 2. This year Apple decided to join in the competition with Android and produced its own smart-watch, and thusly named it the Apple Watch.  Already this next step in Apple’s arsenal of technology products is under scrutiny by Forbes contributor Erik Kain who posted an article titled The Apple Watch Is Late To The Party. According to Kain (2015), “Apple can’t repeat its success with the iPhone or iPad here. That isn’t to say that Apple’s watch won’t be successful, only that it won’t be the same kind of game-changer as the various other “i” gadgets out there, including the iPod” (The Apple Watch Is Late To The Party). So, how can Apple move forward from here?

Assessing the Situation

Apple understands it is late to the party when it comes to the existence of the “smart-watch,” but that does not mean it cannot become a lead innovator in the next step for smart-watches.  Since this is a relatively new product in the realm of mobile technology, this provides a great opportunity for Apple to produce yet another great product for the millions of customers they cater to around the world. Apple can take what has already been produced in the Android and Apple markets, and now brainstorm for the production of a new product that will surpass the current technology currently available.

Organizational Objectives

        To be successful in this innovative project there will be need to be assigned roles to aid in moving the project forward in a timely manner.  Project managers will be assigned as oversight to those tasked with brainstorming and communicating data.  These managers will push the project forward in meeting deadlines, approving promising ideas, and submitting such data to a board that will ultimately chose the correct course to implement this new product.

Competitive Assessment & Market Analysis

        There will be two teams each tasked with a specific focus.  One will focus on assessing the competition and what growth will be necessary in this project to succeed.  The other will focus on the market, analyzing what the best course of action will be in marketing the product to the consumer.  Both teams will collaborate to develop a pristine marketing plan in which the Apple Watch 2 will be just as successful as its predecessor.  

Identification of the Problem and Opportunity

When attempting to create a new innovative product, there are always speed pumps along the way, but unlimited potential on what can be accomplished.  A potential issue that could arise is how to keep the exterior design small enough to fit the standard of a wristwatch, yet have the leading, cutting edge technology.  Another issue would be how to manufacture the new product, and what materials will best suit the concept that is being attempted. Since there are a few different versions of smart-watches on the market right now, this allows opportunity to take advantage of what designs worked, which did not do so well, and fill the gaps in what is missing.

 Incremental Improvements

According to "Business Dictionary" (2015), an incremental improvement is defined as “a series of small improvements to an existing product or product line that usually helps maintain or improve its competitive position over time” (incremental innovation). By that definition the research team will need to take the current Apple Watch and reimaging the structural design. The focus should be around creating something new, while complementing an already valued structural design.  As well, consideration from the observations from the public’s experience with the first generation Apple Watch will need to play a large role in developing this next generation to suit the needs of the consumer where the first failed.

Creative Concept Development

The Galaxy Gear 2 and the current Apple Watch both have many of the same features; now what the Galaxy gear has that Apple Watch does not is an integrated camera.  Here Apple can expand on its product by adding such a camera, and this leaves a lot of opportunity to improve where Galaxy is not performing. Another area where Apple can improve is the stand-alone capability of making phone calls from the smart-watch independently from the IPhone. This would mean if the consumer left his or her phone at home, they would still be able to send and receive calls and other communications.  The next step in innovating the smart-watch would be making it more then just water resistant, but to develop the ability of use in situations like swimming, surfing, and other water activities.

Product Specifications

        After the new design for the casing is completed, the focus will move to what new features will be added. All of the previous specifications will remain, but with the ideal addition of a stand-alone mode of operation from its previous dependency on the IPhone.  Thus additional technology will be added to allow this next generation device to communicate and function like a phone without having to be dependent on said IPhone, while keeping complete functionality between the pair. As well, color schemes will remain the same. How each watchband works will remain, but more colors will be added to attract a wider spectrum of consumer. The materials used have shown great profit and will be apart of the optional build of the next generation watch, and research will be done to develop a way to insulate the devise from water damage that will allow a consumer to swim with the watch without the worry of damage.