Valuable Projects Deserve Adequate Time

by | Mar 16, 2015 | Ice Cream Consulting

Or in other words, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”  Your business or product concept will be as good as the effort and time you invest in it.

And you understand this concept, right?  Then why do clients request that we stuff 10 lbs. of ice cream into the proverbial 1 lb. bag (business audience so I’ll keep analogies clean).  Being in the ice cream consulting business, time and time again people contact me saying they have an amazing concept, one of a kind product or jazzed about building a business empire, but need it done in a few weeks.

I typically find myself arguing in behalf of time, its value and and in most instances stress that more time needs to be allocated. Although the Romans failed to sustain their empire, I still believe the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” applies, especially if you are truly interested in establishing a successful brand or business. I suggest the steps in the process to start your business should be completed in a progressive manner. Backtracking and re-doing will inevitably cost you in extra time and expense. Occasionally I hear “we’ll start out this way now and modify later.”  In most cases, the later is sooner than anticipated.

As part of my 3-hour intake session called L.E.A.P.,  a topic I usually present is the value of a realistic timeline. The brow will go up on first timers venturing into a business, because they see the suggested time requirement much longer than they expected. In my experience, those who take shortcuts (think Rosie Ruiz – 1980 Boston Marathon), end up falling short on the  predicted return on investment.

Allow ample time to accomplish each task and understand the steps of each one.  Breakdown the business into several categories to understand the importance of each and understand that each may vary in time to get it done right.

Here are a few topics that would be included in a timeline for your business or product launch:

Product R&D

  • Recipe to proven formula
  • How the new product performs under manufacturing stress
  • Sourcing specific/unique ingredients
  • Small batch testing
  • Sampling and feedback
  • Possible second and third sample testing
  • Define nutritional and ingredient information

Outside Manufacturing

  • Make your own or outside co-pack manufacturer
  • The right package size
  • Minimum order requirements
  • Flavor ingredient suppliers
  • Initial investment

Warehouse and Distribution:

  • Temperature requirements
  • FIFO discipline
  • Delivery freezers

Sales & Marketing

  • Retail slot fees
  • Advertising
  • Sampling demos
  • Web site

Remember, stay clear of the Ready, Fire, Aim approach as a strategy, besides losing a foot, it could lead to added expense and wasted additional time.

Contact Darryl he will work with you on time management and getting your project done on time and under budget.

Darryl David
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