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NPD Proposal
New product development is the process of conceptualizing a new product or one that is being revamped and availing it to the market. It involves transforming an idea into a viable product that creates value for its consumers and its developer's business. Competition is fierce. Therefore, a new product should be marketed so the target market is made aware of it and fulfills consumer demand by offering a new benefit or solving an existing problem. This paper will propose an NPD idea and show its benefits and the nature of the solution offered.
An NDP should aim at increasing the market share for a product. This may be through introducing a new product to the market, replace and overtake an existing product, or broaden the market of a product. This may be through expanding to a new market segment, improving the relationship between a company and various stakeholders such as distributors, or improve the brand and reputation of the business among its consumers. The current proposal introduces reusable personal protective equipment (PPEs). PPEs are in relatively high demand among hospitals and other risky industries throughout the year. However, the demand has increased to almost unmanageable levels due to the Covid-19 pandemic (CDC, 2020). This disease has caused normal PPEs to be problematic to source due to their single-use status, leading to increased demand.
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The covid-19, which took the world by surprise, led to many challenges in various industries. This was more so in the healthcare industry, which was tasked with combating the disease and treating its patients. Healthcare providers were faced with providing care for sick patients at the risk of contracting the disease themselves. This led to the increased demand for PPEs across the industry. This caused a shortage, which forced providers in many countries to reuse existing ones, and some, including here in the US, to use unconventional means such as wearing bin bags to manage the challenge. Demand by individuals for respirators such as the N95 masks also exacerbated the problem. This problem can currently and for future needs be addressed by developing and enhancing existing reusable PPEs.
Consumers will only be interested in a product that offers them an advantage or solves an existing problem. A product that offers no new advantage to a consumer or fulfills no need will fail. Examples of this include google glasses, a monumental failure since they did not offer consumers any use. A proposed idea for a product should meet a minimum viable product in that it needs basic functionality to offer some use to its consumers. Reusable PPEs such as the elastomeric respirator are considered safe in the healthcare industry, but reusable PPEs are still the most preferred (Chiang et al., 2020). These respirators are made of elastomeric material, including natural or synthetic rubber (CDC, 2020). Elastomeric gloves are impermeable to fluids but allow vapor to pass through hence being more breathable and comfortable by allowing the wearer’s sweat to pass through (Europe PMC, n.d.). We propose to go ahead and coat many forms of PPEs, including gloves and bodysuits, with this material to reduce the need for reusable ones. This will aid healthcare workers and be used by other people, leaving the standard versions such as N95 masks and reusable suits to doctors who work in riskier environments, especially during pandemics such as the current one. Therefore, its sustainability would also reduce pollution and waste, becoming a more environmentally friendlier solution to PPEs.
Conclusion
Reusable elastomeric respirators that pass the same standards as N95 and other masks are considered safe for use. Elastomeric gloves have also been shown to be fluid impermeable and therefore safe and comfortable for users. Increasing the types of reusable PPEs will benefit the healthcare industry by reducing demand for reusable ones and will also be more friendly to the environment.
References
CDC. (2020, October 13). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/elastomeric-respirators-strategy/index.html
Chiang, J., Hanna, A., Lebowitz, D., & Ganti, L. (2020). Elastomeric respirators are safer and more sustainable alternatives to disposable N95 masks during the coronavirus outbreak. International Journal of Emergency Medicine , 13 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-020-00296-8
Europe PMC. (n.d.). Elastomeric gloves having enhanced breathability. https://europepmc.org/article/pat/mxpa05001323
FDA. (2020, March 11). Questions about personal protective equipment (PPE). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment-infection-control/questions-about-personal-protective-equipment-ppe
