NEW PRODUCT MANAGEMENT
Chapter 11
Sales Forecasting and Financial Analysis
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Why Financial Analysis for New Products is Difficult
- Target users don’t know.
- If they know they might not tell us.
- Poor execution of market research.
- Market dynamics.
- Uncertainties about marketing support.
- Biased internal attitudes.
- Poor accounting.
- Rushing products to market.
- Basing forecasts on history.
- Technology revolutions.
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Forecasting the Demand For Satellite Radio
- In 2000: forecast for 2007 was 36 million subscribers.
- In 2001: forecast revised to 16 million.
- By end of 2006: actual number of subscribers = 11 million.
Source: Sarah McBride, “Until Recently Full Of Promise, Satellite Radio Runs Into Static,” Wall Street Journal, August 15, 2006, pp. A1-A9.
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Forecasters Are Often Right
In 1967 they said we would have:
- Artificial organs in humans by 1982.
- Human organ transplants by 1987.
- Credit cards almost eliminating currency by 1986.
- Automation throughout industry including some managerial decision making by 1987.
- Landing on moon by 1970.
- Three of four Americans living in cities or towns by 1986.
- Expenditures for recreation and entertainment doubled by 1986.
Figure 11.1
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Forecasters Can Be Very Wrong
They also said we would have:
- Permanent base on moon by 1987.
- Manned planetary landings by 1980.
- Most urbanites living in high-rises by 1986.
- Private cars barred from city cores by 1986.
- Primitive life forms created in laboratory by 1989.
- Full color 3D TV globally available.
Source: a 1967 forecast by The Futurist journal.
Note: about two-thirds of the forecasts were correct!
Figure 11.1
(cont’d.)
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Commonly Used Forecasting Techniques
Figure 11.2
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|
Technique |
Time Horizon |
Cost |
Comments |
|
Simple Regression |
Short |
Low |
Easy to learn |
|
Multiple Regression |
Short-medium |
Moderate |
More difficult to learn and interpret |
|
Econometric Analysis |
Short-medium |
Moderate to high |
Complex |
|
Simple time series |
Short |
Very low |
Easy to learn |
|
Advanced time series (e.g., smoothing) |
Short-medium |
Low to high, depending on method |
Can be difficult to learn but results are easy to interpret |
|
Jury of executive opinion |
Medium |
Low |
Interpret with caution |
|
Scenario writing |
Medium-long |
Moderately high |
Can be complex |
|
Delphi probe |
Long |
Moderately high |
Difficult to learn and interpret |
New Product Forecasting Strategies
Source: Adapted from K. B. Kahn, “Forecasting New Products,” in K. B. Kahn, S. E. Kay, R. J. Slotegraaf, and S. Uban (Eds.), The PDMA Handbook of New Product Development (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley), 2013, Ch. 16, p. 276.
Figure 11.3
| Current Product Technology | New Product Technology | |
| Current Market | Type of innovation: cost reductions and process improvements Type of forecasting: sales analysis | Type of innovation: line extension Type of forecasting: product line analysis, life cycle analysis |
| New Market | Type of innovation: new market or new product uses Type of forecasting: customer analysis, market analysis | Type of innovation: new-to-the-world or new-to-the-firm Type of forecasting: scenario or “what-if” analysis |
Forecasting Satellite Radio Sales Using Purchase Intentions
- In 2000, 213 million vehicles in U.S.
- 95% availability, 40% awareness.
- Market potential = 213 million x 95% x 40% = 81 million.
- Assume half can afford satellite radio = 40.5 million.
- Percentage that will be among the first to try the new technology = 16%.
- Forecast for first year = 40.5 million x 16% = 6.4 million.
- Projected yearly growth rate = 10%.
- Assuming this growth rate, by end of 2006, expected total sales = about 10 million.
- Note: not too far from the attained number = 11 million!
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Handling Problems in Financial Analysis
- Improve your existing new products process.
- Use the life cycle concept of financial analysis.
- Reduce dependence on poor forecasts.
- Forecast what you know.
- Approve situations, not numbers (recall Campbell Soup example)
- Commit to low-cost development and marketing.
- Be prepared to handle the risks.
- Don’t use one standard format for financial analysis.
- Improve current financial forecasting methods.
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Forecasting Sales Using Purchase Intentions
- Use top-two-boxes scores obtained in concept testing, appropriately adjusted or calibrated.
- Example: Recall for hand cleanser from Chapter 9:
- Definitely buy = 5%
- Probably buy = 36%
- Based on history, calibrate as follows:
- 80% of “definitelies” actually buy
- 33% of “probablies” actually buy
- Forecasted market share = (0.8)(5%) + (0.33)(36%) = 16%.
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Forecasting Sales Using Purchase Intentions (continued)
- The 16% forecast assumes 100% awareness and availability.
- Adjust downwards to account for incomplete awareness and availability.
- If 60% of the market is aware of the product and has it available, market share is recalculated to (0.6) (16%) = 9.6%.
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Forecasting Sales Using
A-T-A-R Model
- Assume awareness = 90% and availability =67%.
- Trial rate = 16% (16% of the market that is aware of the product and has it available tries it at least once).
- RS = proportion who switch to new product = 70%.
- Rr = proportion who repeat purchase the new product = 60%.
- Rt = Long-run repeat purchase = RS /(1+Rs-Rr) = 63.6%.
- Market Share = T x Rt x Awareness x Availability =
16% x 63.6% x 90% x 67% = 6.14%.
The following bar chart shows this procedure graphically.
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A-T-A-R Model Results:
Bar Chart Format
Figure 11.4
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Bass Model Forecast of
Product Diffusion
Figure 11.5
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The Life Cycle of Assessment
Figure 11.6
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Calculating New Product’s
Required Rate of Return
Risk
% Return
Reqd. Rate
of Return
Cost of
Capital
Avg. Risk
of Firm
Risk on
Proposed
Product
Figure 11.7
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Real-Options Analysis in New Product Value Assessment
Data:
- Startup costs in Year 0: $70,000.
- The cash flows for Years 1 through 4 are estimated to be $40,000 in a high-demand scenario, or $10,000 in a low-demand scenario.
- The probabilities of a high- or low-demand scenario are both 50 percent.
- The product concept could be abandoned after Year 1, and the equipment could be sold for $38,000.
- Discount rate = 12%.
Figure 11.8
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Real-Options Analysis (continued)
Cash flow in Year 1 for each demand scenario:
Cash flow in Year 1 if option taken to abandon project and equipment is sold:
Therefore the project would be abandoned after Year 1.
Figure 11.8
| Demand | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Total |
| High | 40,000 | 40,000/(1.12) =35,714 | 40,000/(1.12)2 = 31,888 | 40,000/(1.12)3 = 28,471 | $136,073 |
| Low | 10,000 | 10,000/(1.12) = 8,929 | 10,000/(1.12)2 = 7,972 | 10,000/(1.12)3 = 7,118 | $34,018 |
| Demand | Year 1 | Take Option to Abandon and Sell Equipment | Total |
| Low | 10,000 | 38,000 | $48,000 |
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Real-Options Analysis (continued)
Now assess NPV for each demand scenario, assuming project is abandoned after Year 1 if demand is low.
Expected value of investment is:
(0.5)($51,494) + (0.5)(-27,143) = $12,176
Since this expected value is greater than zero, the firm should make the investment.
Source: Edward Nelling, "Options and the Analysis of Technology Projects," in V. K. Narayanan and Gina C. O'Connor (eds.), Encyclopedia of Technology & Innovation Management, Chichester, UK: John Wiley, 2010, Chapter 8.
Figure 11.8
| Demand | Year 0 | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Total |
| High | -70,000 | 40,000/(1.12) =35,714 | 40,000/(1.12)2 = 31,888 | 40,000/(1.12)3 = 28,471 | 40,000/(1.12)4 = 25,421 | $51,494 |
| Low | -70,000 | 48,000/(1.12) = 42,857 | -$27,143 |
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Hurdle Rates on Returns and Other Measures
Figure 11.9
Explanation: the hurdles should reflect a product’s purpose,
or assignment. Example: we might accept a very low
share increase for an item that simply capitalized on our
existing market position.
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|
|
|
Hurdle Rate |
||
|
Product |
Strategic Role or Purpose |
Sales |
Return on Investment |
Market Share Increase |
|
A |
Combat competitive entry |
$3,000,000 |
10% |
0 Points |
|
B |
Establish foothold in new market |
$2,000,000 |
17% |
15 Points |
|
C |
Capitalize on existing markets |
$1,000,000 |
12% |
1 Point |
Hoechst-U.S. Scoring Model
Figure 11.9
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|
Key Factors |
Rating Scale (from 1 - 10) 1 ………. 4 ………. 7 ………. 10 |
|
Probability of Technical Success |
<20% probability >90% probability |
|
Probability of Commercial Success |
<25% probability >90% probability |
|
Reward
|
Small Payback < 3 years |
|
Business-Strategy Fit |
R&D independent of R&D strongly supports business strategy business strategy |
|
Strategic Leverage |
"One-of-a-kind"/ Many proprietary dead end opportunities |
Source: Adapted from Robert G. Cooper, Scott J. Edgett, and Elko J. Kleinschmidt. Portfolio Management for New Products, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 1997, pp. 24-28.
Specialty Minerals Scoring Model
- Management interest
- Customer interest
- Sustainability of competitive advantage
- Technical feasibility
- Business case strength
- Fit with core competencies
- Profitability and impact
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Manufacturing Firm Scoring Model (disguised)
- Net Present Value
- Internal Rate of Return
- Strategic Importance of Project (how well it aligns with business strategy)
- Probability of Technical Success
Note how in each of these examples, the model contains financial as well as strategic criteria.
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A Tool for Concept Evaluation
Strategic Fit: Does the concept fit with corporate vision?
Customer Fit: Does the concept allow the customer to better meet consumer needs?
Consumer Fit: Does the concept satisfy an unmet consumer need?
Market Attractiveness: Is the concept unique relative to competition?
Technical Feasibility: Is the concept feasible and protectable?
Financial Returns: Will the project break even soon?
Source: Erika B. Seamon, “Achieving Growth Through an Innovative Culture,” in P. Belliveau, A. Griffin, and S. M. Somermeyer, The PDMA Handbook 3 For New Product Development, Wiley, 2004, Ch. 1.
Figure 11.11
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Technique Time Horizon Cost Comments
Simple Regression Short Low Easy to learn
Multiple Regression Short-medium Moderate More difficult to
learn and interpret
Econometric
Analysis
Short-medium Moderate to high Complex
Simple time series Short Very low Easy to learn
Advanced time
series (e.g.,
smoothing)
Short-medium Low to high,
depending on
method
Can be difficult to
learn but results are
easy to interpret
Jury of executive
opinion
Medium Low Interpret with
caution
Scenario writing Medium-long Moderately high Can be complex
Delphi probe Long Moderately high Difficult to learn
and interpret
0.9
0.603
0.0965
0.0614
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
AwareAvailableTrialRepeat
Hurdle Rate
Product Strategic Role or
Purpose
Sales Return on
Investment
Market Share
Increase
A Combat competitive
entry
$3,000,000 10% 0 Points
B Establish foothold in new
market
$2,000,000 17% 15 Points
C Capitalize on existing
markets
$1,000,000 12% 1 Point
Key Factors Rating Scale (from 1 - 10)
1 ………. 4 ………. 7 ………. 10
Probability of Technical
Success
<20% probability >90%
probability
Probability of Commercial
Success
<25% probability >90%
probability
Reward
Small Payback < 3 years
Business-Strategy Fit R&D independent of R&D strongly supports
business strategy business strategy
Strategic Leverage "One-of-a-kind"/ Many proprietary
dead end opportunities
Source: Adapted from Robert G. Cooper, Scott J. Edgett, and Elko J. Kleinschmidt. Portfolio
Management for New Products , McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, 1997, pp. 24 -
28.