Life Before a Product Launch - Excitement, Adrenaline & Sleepless Nights…
April 19th, 2008
Many of you may have noticed that I’ve missed a day or two of blogging - I apologize, I know how MysteryCEO.com has become a drug of sorts for you 
Well, our company is in the dead middle of a big product launch and I have literally been working around the clock (loving every minute of it - but sleepy at the same time). There is ONE thing I can’t get over, I’ve done quiet a few of these launches and have always promised myself one thing:
Next time, before we even announce the launch date, we’ll make sure EVERYTHING is done - all sales material, product, testing, etc…
What I can’t understand is why I NEVER follow through with that? It seems NOTHING gets done until a firm date is SET. But at the same time, nothing is done at the time the firm date is set (well, not “nothing” - but you know what I mean).
So, in other words - to motivate yourself TO get things done, deadlines become necessary…
Anyways - what’s your opinion on that? Do you work better with deadlines?
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Tags: deadlines, product launch
April 21st, 2008 at 12:51 am
I have a similar addiction, it’s even more gratifying when others pick-up on the idea and it grows exponentially! I think there should be at the minimum a NEW product launch every year with refreshes to “old” products occurring every two quarters or so… otherwise, things start to get moldy.
I learned a LONG TIME AGO, unless a client requests it specifically, NEVER give deadlines, especially when something involves custom programming… you are just looking for a headache! Instead, establish easy to meet benchmarks along the way to show progress with plenty of wiggle room. Whatever your team of programmers say, triple the amount of time they “think” it will take and more often then not, you will come roughly on target.
I look forward to your blog post showcasing this new product launch
Jon
http://woodmarvels.com - Create Unique Memories
April 21st, 2008 at 1:22 am
Hey Jon,
Haha…I think I’ve given as much information regarding this product launch as I was going to
It’s funny that you mention, “multiply by three times” - I do a DOUBLE the time. Actually my current technical team finally is REALLY dead on - if anyone holds them back, it’s the rest of the company.
So, I haven’t had to use that math in a while.
Mystery CEO
April 26th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Gotta have a deadline.