As described at the beginning of this chapter, Google is already ahead of this curve. Visit Google Labs (www .googlelabs.com) to learn about new products that are still in the testing stage—what Google calls the “playground stage.” Briefly discuss two of the experiments and explain why Google hosts a site such as Google Labs.
Technology is speeding up new product development while also reducing its costs. What formerly took months and cost millions of dollars can now be done in seconds and for pennies. Because technology is making new product testing easy and accessible to just about any employee, from the chief executive officer to maintenance personnel, predictions are for a groundbreaking change in corporate cultures surrounding new product development—much like the Google culture described at the beginning of this chapter. An employee may come up with a great idea and test it—all in a single day. This new environment may present some challenges, however. One is that managers must be prepared to give up control and empower employees. Another is “scaling,” which means companies must be able to scale or implement new ideas rapidly and efficiently.