Who better to learn from about the total Stage-Gate^® system than the creator of Stage-Gate himself, Dr. Robert G. Cooper?

	A Message from Dr. Robert Cooper about... Designing and Implementing a Stage-Gate Process
Winning at New Products – make sure your Stage-Gate System is authentic!

I estimate that in my lifetime I’ve seen at least 5000 different companies’ Stage-Gate processes – some very good, some bad and some just down-right ugly. They are presented to me with great pride, followed quickly by ‘Well….how did we do?’ For many, I am impressed with just how authentic their Stage-Gate system is – how they carefully incorporated every last subtle, but critical, design element and just as carefully implemented it. These companies are easy to spot – their new product success rates are among the best in the world!

However, for many, many more, I break the bad news - that what they have is a very superficial design at best, which ultimately lacks the proven best practices that truly drive performance results. They are surprised, as many falsely believe that what they have created mirrors an authentic Stage-Gate process. Not so. In fact, if properly implemented, their process will not only NOT achieve the results they are expecting – but will, with certainty, cause them big problems!

Successfully launching a new product or service is one of the most complex projects an organization can undertake. However, by using an authentic Stage-Gate system to guide your efforts, you can dramatically increase your success rates while reducing costs and time to market. It is well worth it to implement a best practice Stage-Gate system according to numerous research studies including the recent PDMA Benchmark Study which reports that the best performers are using sophisticated or third-generation Stage-Gate processes. Your company can win at new products – make sure your Stage-Gate System is authentic!

Stage-Gate works because a significant number of proven practices are built in – completing the right amount of upfront homework, building in the voice of customer, making the tough go/kill decisions and so on. Understand what truly drives world-class performance – the 10 critical success factors – and, the most effective and efficient way to organize the many best practices into a system that helps you to be successful. Avoid common and costly mistakes and leverage the experience of thousands of companies who have implemented Stage-Gate before you. Join me and my colleagues, Mike Wiebe and Kelly Armstrong, for this 3-day seminar so we can equip you with everything you need to know so you can successfully design and implement Stage-Gate and enjoy the success it is truly capable of delivering!

"Wonderful presenters, great enthusiasm, phenomenal tools and overall an invaluable experience". Nancy Bach, Associate Vice President, Product Consumer Brands Product Development Household Finance Corporation "Great Seminar - I found it very valuable." Bernd Becker, Vice President Development and Quality Control Timex Corporation   "Our organization is committed to Stage-Gate and this seminar provides valuable insights to ensuring a successful implementation - for any size organization thinking of getting into the game". Dr. Rick Singh, Director Consumer Brands Product Development Schwan's Food Company

If you can bring colleagues to the event, so much the better… this initiative requires a team effort and it’s always good to have a small team, rather than just one person returning to your company to implement what you’ve learned. Take a look at our agenda, the quality and quantity of information is unmatched! I look forward to meeting you and your colleagues - see you there!