Yandisa Hene, founder and Managing Director of Yanda Growth Consulting, has made a name for herself as a dynamic force in the world of innovation. Her company, known for crafting cutting-edge solutions, has transformed businesses across both corporate and government sectors. Through strategic partnerships with global brands like Sasol and KFC, as well as government entities such as The Innovation Hub, Yandisa has consistently driven growth by developing innovative strategies that set her apart.
Under Yandisa’s leadership, Yanda Growth Consulting ushered Kellogg’s into securing the prestigious Nielsen Breakthrough Innovation Award. Her exceptional contributions to Kellogg’s projects also earned her the company’s Innovation Award and Sales Director Award, highlighting her unmatched expertise in steering major brands toward success. Yandisa’s passion for fostering business growth, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), has garnered widespread recognition. She was honored as a Top Women Leader by Standard Bank and received the Power of Women Award from Mail & Guardian for her work in Business & Entrepreneurship.
Yandisa has put together her strong academic foundation in Economics, Financial Analysis, and Brand Management, to bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. Through A.L.I.S ,she shares her invaluable experience in product innovation, brand development, and enterprise supplier growth .
Mastering Product Innovation: 10 Lessons for a Winning Launch
Launching a new product is an exhilarating yet challenging journey, one filled with moments of both triumph and frustration. With 15 years of experience, Yandisa Hene, has seen it all. From the most innovative breakthroughs to launches that never quite got off the ground, she’s learned that success comes from more than just a great idea, it’s all about strategy, adaptability, and timing.
Here are some of the key insights Yandisa has gathered along the way:
Curious to dive deeper into these lessons and discover more strategies for launching a successful product? Watch Yandisa’s full breakdown in her exclusive video on YouTube, where she shares more insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and actionable tips for entrepreneurs and businesses.This video is a must-watch for anyone serious about product innovation and long-term growth. Don’t miss out on learning from one of the best in the industry!
BEFORE LAUNCHING: STRATEGIC PLANNING INSIGHTS
1. Innovations Aren’t Separate from Strategy
Every product launch must be deeply rooted in your broader business vision. Your innovation pipeline should align with your business goals, ensuring you’re leveraging innovations for long-term success, not just short-term wins.
2. Research Must Guide Your Innovation
Research is your best friend throughout the product development cycle—from idea generation to commercialisation. Often, we want to proceed with the innovation launch even though it is a “no go”, however from my experience the success of the innovation will be short lived or may not even take off.
3. Leverage your colleagues as your first source of feedback
Your colleagues are consumers before they are your colleagues and should be your first point of call for any innovation idea that is underpinned by a strategic intent. Leverage the sales team as they engage with customers and consumers daily, they may give invaluable insights into whether an idea will work or not. Even though you are the brand custodian you need further understanding.
4. Give Consumers What They Want, Not What You Think They Want
Most of the time we want to launch what we want, what we think will work or what we have seen in other countries. Let your consumers tell you what your product is and how it fits into their lives, habits, and routines. People will pay for what elevates their status or becomes part of their daily rituals.
5. Build Strong Relationships Across the Organization
Product launches involve multiple stakeholders, many of whom may not report to you. Working well with people and influencing them requires great relationship management if you are to launch successfully into Market. Leverage people’s strengths.
6. Timing is Everything
From my personal experience over the past 15 years the most challenging time to launch an innovation is during a recession/economic hardship or uncertain political climate therefore you must be selective of what you launch and when you launch it. Launching products during an economic boom or when the political climate is great (think 2010) – offers more opportunities for experimentation and trial, because consumers have disposable income meaning they are more willing to try new things, experiment, and gamble on new products with their hard-earned income. During economic hardship people will stick to what they know.
AFTER LAUNCHING: ADAPTING AND SUSTAINING SUCCESS
7. Be Agile and Adaptive
Even with the best-laid plans, unexpected challenges will arise. Be prepared to pivot quickly and brainstorm with your colleagues to find solutions that can bring the project back on track.
8. Less is More
Focus on the Big Bets instead of multiple innovation launches that will give you minimal incremental growth/volumes or profits. Launching innovation takes time, resources, and money therefore you must ensure that you are leveraging these correctly to achieve maximum impact.
9. Distribution, Distribution, Distribution
A product’s success is heavily influenced by how widely it’s available. Ensure your product is stocked in the right stores and readily available when consumers are looking to purchase it. Effective Above-the-Line (ATL) and Below-the-Line (BTL) communication is wasted if your product isn’t available at key retail locations.
10. You Don’t Get a Second Chance at First Impressions
The success of your product or service is not whether someone will try it once but that they will try it repeatedly and recommend it to others. The buzz of a new product may get consumers to trial it, however, if the product does not live up to consumers expectations, then they will not try it again. Monitor quality consistently, even after the product is launched.
Building a Winning Formula
Don’t expect immediate success. As businesses become more focused on volumes and margins, there is a rising expectation for immediate results and quick returns, it’s important to remember that impactful innovations take time to show results. Be patient and give your product the time it needs to gain traction in the market – Great things take time.
Success in launching competitive products is no accident. It requires a combination of strategic planning, adaptability, and relentless execution. By learning from both the successes and failures along the way, and with the right preparation—you’ll create a winning formula for your product’s success.
For business/ partnership related enquiries contact:
Mrs. Reabetswe Mabine
Brand Manager, YANDA Consulting
