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AME: 

INSTRUCTOR:

DATE:

Assignment 1

Product Development & Operations – Category Manager Analysis

Instructions

Step 1: Product Life Cycle

Read the Product Report for Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo. The Product Report contains important information that will help you to identify where the product stands in the Product Life Cycle and give you clues about what changes customers might like to see.

Respond to Rochelle and her team at Alikay Naturals based on the information in the Product Report.

· Identify where Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo is currently positioned in the product life cycle.

Underline your selection:

· Introduction

· Maturity

· Growth

· Decline

Please describe the rationale for your position.

Step 2: Product Changes

Based on what you’ve learned:

· What recommendation(s) do you have for Alikay Naturals to improve or replace Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo? Please support your recommendation(s).

Step 3: New Product Development

Read the New Product Proposal, which contains three examples of possible products that could be developed to replace Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo. Based on the information in this proposal and the customer feedback in the Product Report:

· If you had to recommend one product, which product would you recommend they create? Underline your selection:

· Organic Bloom Shampoo

· Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo with Dandruff Control

· Coconut Protein Shampoo and Conditioner

Explain your decision. Provide examples of the customer feedback that informed your choice.

· Determine which type of innovation this represents from among the four main types discussed this week. Underline your selection:

· Sustainable (eco-friendly)

· Frugal

· Sustaining

· Disruptive

Briefly explain why you chose that type of innovation.

Step 4: Production Methods

Based on the product you chose in Step 3:

· Determine which production method is most appropriate for the production of this product. Explain your decision.