We started with the second program phase of Things+

11. 06. 2019

We started with the second program phase of Things+

On 6th of June 2019, we started with the second program phase of Things +, which was hosted by mentors Borut Potočnik with Tina Zajc and moderated by Mojca Cvirn.

At the first workshop, the participating companies presented their products and focused on the identification of their added value by adding a service to the product with which the customer becomes a long-term user of the product and its services, and not just a one-time buyer.

Workshop’s key takeaways

Why develop a service if it is all about the product? What are the best practice examples from which companies could learn? For example, how did boutique winemakers conquer foreign markets? Why and how did the producer of protective clothing completely change the business model and offered the market a comprehensive service in which protective clothing was just part of the offer?

The biggest challenge the participants face is the adaptation of the sales strategy for a particular market. Therefore, they find that it is much better to have a product that has a longer reach and fewer people are price challenging. However, there is another step: when the product is transformed into a branded service (under the brand of product), which even better enables the buyer to achieve his wishes and optimizes the use of the product. That kind of product connects more to the customers, enables a more stable contact with the customer, and raises loyalty, recommendations and international expansion.

In Technology Park Ljubljana we have prepared a program for the development of services, within the framework of the THINGS + project, where we invite product oriented companies to upgrade their offer with servitisation. The participating companies have between € 10,000.00 and € 2,000,000 in revenue, and their goal is to increase sales in global markets.

Author: Mojca Cvirn

The THINGS + project is co-financed by the Interreg Central Europe program.

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