This article provides an in-depth analysis of the U.S. manufacturing industry’s 2025 economic outlook. It highlights steady consumer spending as a driver of growth while cautioning about potential risks like inflation, labor shortages, and trade policy shifts. Key sectors such as automotive and housing are discussed as economic indicators, with practical insights for navigating challenges. The article emphasizes the importance of ongoing innovation, including supply chain diversification, product expansion, market exploration, and the adoption of AI to boost efficiency and competitiveness. Manufacturers are encouraged to stay agile and proactive to thrive in this dynamic economic environment.
Discover how strategic partnerships can drive innovation by leveraging combined capabilities to meet customer needs. Explore real-world examples like HP and Koenig & Bauer, and LG Energy Solutions and Honda. Learn key considerations before entering a joint development agreement to ensure successful collaborations and accelerated market entry.
Discover how strategic partnerships can drive innovation by leveraging combined capabilities to meet customer needs. Explore real-world examples like HP and Koenig & Bauer, and LG Energy Solutions and Honda. Learn key considerations before entering a joint development agreement to ensure successful collaborations and accelerated market entry.
Discover how strategic partnerships can drive innovation by leveraging combined capabilities to meet customer needs. Explore real-world examples like HP and Koenig & Bauer, and LG Energy Solutions and Honda. Learn key considerations before entering a joint development agreement to ensure successful collaborations and accelerated market entry.
There are a few things you can count on in life: death, taxes and technology will change. Yes, technology shifts will inevitably arise, and business leaders may find themselves having to communicate a message to customers that is contrary to what they said before. Maybe your core technology has focused on a particular technology for solving a problem and you are developing an alternative technology to solve the same problem. Maybe you will acquire a company that offers complimentary technologies to round out your portfolio. Examples abound. Lubrizol sold CPVC plumbing pipe and later developed technology for PEX plumbing pipe, an industry alternative it had previously sold against. HP is known as the leader in Indigo printing presses but has since launched machines utilizing inkjet technology. In both cases, the additions of alternative technologies broadened the markets these companies served. They also required team members to support the sale of these technologies when previously they sold against these technologies. This shift requires both internal and external communication to get current team members and customers on board. This article discusses how business leaders can communicate technology shifts with impact and integrity when they inevitably arise.
In the current market, 85% of companies are in decline. Four of the common reasons companies -and their new products - fail can be attributed to a lack of marketing science. In part two of this four part series, we provide five indicators to help you identify when a lack of differentiation is preventing you from accelerating growth.
Customer Intimacy? 10 Indicators Your Growth Is Being Undermined
In the current market, 85% of companies are in decline. One of the most common reasons companies - and their new products - fail is poor customer intimacy. They are not really in touch with customers through deep dialogue. Here are 10 indicators that your company needs to take action to deepen customer engagement in order to accelerate growth.
According to a recent report from the Board of Innovation, just 15% of companies are experiencing growth during the global Corona virus pandemic. For the 85% of companies experiencing decline, it is recommended to find new growth. We discuss root cause of failures and what to correct in order to achieve growth.
Documenting and challenging assumptions is critical to the success of every business. Yet, many project teams don’t do it. Why? This case study of my first business explores the impact of documenting and challenging assumptions.
What assumptions will you challenge in your business? Contact me to get started, de-risk and grow.
By Kelly Lawrence
A few years ago, my CEO announced that Warren Buffet would visit us for a 2-hour Q&A session - in 2 hours! I was lucky enough to have an invitation to attend and not have any conflicts with customer meetings. But only 2 hours to prepare?!
We’ve all met someone who inspires us, so I’m sure you can appreciate my anxiety. We go into these situations wanting to learn and to impress. More realistically, we hope we can find the courage to engage and not look like a complete idiot.
After a breathing exercise to calm my nerves, I made a commitment. I would be courageous and ask Warren Buffet a question. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn and I was going to take it. With a combination of internet research and colleague discussions, I prepared a question.
I’m happy to report, I did ask a question. It wasn’t as polished as I had hoped and I am sure I did not leave a lasting impression. But, Mr. Buffett left a lasting impression on me. Through a series of questions, Mr. Buffet consistently shared a message about the importance of trust, staying true to yourself and treating others well. He went on to share many stories throughout the morning exemplifying these values. Do what’s right and you will be both happy and successful.
It wasn’t the iconic business advice I expected. Perhaps more importantly, it was about leadership and being authentic. I realized that day that our professional lives are just as much a part of us as our personal lives. As much as the world talks about achieving a work-life balance, for us at Lawrence Innovation, it’s about doing the right thing. We recognize work and life are integrated and bring our whole selves to earn the trust of our clients and do the right thing. As Warren Buffet said, we believe these values will make us both happy and successful.
About Kelly Lawrence
Kelly Lawrence is the Founder and CEO of Lawrence Innovation. We bring over two decades of expertise in converting customer and market insights to growth. We’ve delivered results for B2B innovators around the world including Berkshire Hathaway’s Lubrizol & Fortune Brands’ Moen. We know how to identify profitable problems to solve, develop and communicate unique value propositions, and implement profitable business models that generate results.
Lawrence Innovation helps B2B leaders accelerate and de-risk growth through strategic market innovation excellence.
