What do you do if your product innovation ideas are met with resistance in an interview?

Listen to the feedback, critically review and assess everything in order to dissect the true constructive criticisms from mere rejection. Identify the key interests of key stakeholders and find out how best to address them. If possible, test the concept within a closed user group to have some first hand experience before pushing out to a larger audience. Conduct surveys, interviews, possibly also engage the members of the interview panel in one-on-one sessions in order to extract some ideas that are not a result of bandwagon effect during large interviews. Refine your product and presentation based on new insights and sample opinions before re-presenting again in the interview.

1. Resistance to change is part of the process. That means you are trying to break the pattern. 2. Resistance is usually a great segue to understanding all the different vantages towards the core problem. Use it to delve deeper into the different modalities that someone uses to currently solve a problem. Often small gems are hiding there in broad daylight 3. Always use the resistance to demonstrate and build empathy for the problem being solved for. BONUS TIP: Never pitch a solution, always pitch what experience you are trying to build for

Key principles: 1) Walk the interviewer step by step, starting from the top all the way down - goals & success criteria, product strategy, GTM strategy, key product features, MVP - key features, design principles, user value, KPIs - making your proposal more concrete and clear. 2) At each step, make sure to provide the interviewer an opportunity to ask clarifying questions, raise disagreements, or suggest specific area of focus. This will ensure you are aligned, and allow you to pinpoint resistance and handle locally. 3) At each step articulate the choices and trade-offs, explain how you would address them in reality given time and resources, and explain why for the sake of the exercise you are choosing to focus on one vs the others.

Baseado na minha experiência em inovação de produtos em diversas empresas, acredito que o principal ponto esta ligado à cultura organizacional. Para que esse tipo de problema seja resolvido no médio prazo, é importante que a organização esteja preparada para este tipo de conceito de escuta ativa. Uma vez que isso já esta implementado e sendo vivido, mas a resistencia ainda exista em uma situação específica, vale a máxima de Trazer todos para um "funil maior de ideias" e ir validando uma a uma de acordo com o proposito e a estratégia de portfolio da empresa.

You pitch a killer product idea and get resistance, instead of applause? It happens to the best of us. But before launching passionate defense, take a deep breath, and listen. Think of the interviewer as your co-pilot on a journey. You might be the pilot with new ways in mind, but they've got the experience to navigate potential turbulence. Why listen? - Interviewer might have a valid concern you missed. Listening helps you tailor your response. - Showing genuine interest in their feedback creates collaborative atmosphere. They'll be more receptive to your ideas when they feel heard. - You might be about to explain something they already know. Listening prevents you from going down a rabbit hole that doesn't address the real issue.

You're explaining great product idea – a spoon that folds into a spork! You are excited about its convenience and versatility. But the interviewer looks confused. A communication gap can sink even the best ideas. Why is clarifying doubts crucial? 1. We might think the "folding spork" concept is clear, but the interviewer might not fully grasp its mechanism or benefits. 2. Clarifying doubts ensures everyone's on same page. Ask questions, "Is it the folding aspect that you're unsure about?" or "Would it help to see a prototype?" 3. Maybe the interviewer is worried that spork won't be sturdy or dishwasher-safe. Clarifying concerns shows your attention to detail and ability to anticipate challenges. Clarifing early to avoid misunderstandings.

Pose insightful questions that encourage deeper exploration of their concerns and insights. This proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to understanding their perspective and fosters a collaborative atmosphere.

Enfrentarse a la resistencia es un desafío común en el proceso de innovación. Al encontrarme con esto, considero que el paso inicial es practicar la escucha activa. Esto implica prestar total atención al feedback del entrevistador sin apresurarme a defenderme. Comprender su perspectiva me permite abordar sus preocupaciones de manera más eficaz. Esta actitud refleja mi respeto por su punto de vista y demuestra que valoro la colaboración y las opiniones, características esenciales en la innovación de productos. Luego de escuchar, busco aclarar cualquier duda sobre mi idea para mejorarla.

On any a product innovation idea, it's natural to have various perspectives, address the doubts with data-supported explanations, identify and mitigate risks and challenges, and strategize effectively to achieve planned outcomes. This involves actively listening to Interviewer, providing evidence-based responses to doubts, recognizing potential risks and challenges, and implementing robust strategies informed by data insights. Ultimately, by taking these steps, we aim to maximize the success of the innovation initiative. Always focus in talking with numbers and outcomes.

First, it depends on what stage in the interview process you are. If you’re being asked to pitch a product idea in a “show us what you’ve got” type of scenario, then that’s fine. But you don’t want to be doing that in the first interview - wait for permission!

The interviewer raises an eyebrow, "Sounds great, but will anyone actually use the product?" Uh ho. This is your chance to separate yourself from the snake oil salesmen and shine. 1. Back your claims with evidence - data, research, market trend. Did you identify a specific user pain point your innovation addresses? Share relevant statistics or quotes from user interviews. 2. Explain how the data connects to your idea. Maybe you found that 70% of users struggle with a specific task. Show how product solves this problem and improves user satisfaction. 3. Frame it as a collaborative tool. Ask questions like, "Have you seen any similar user data trends? or "How do you think this data aligns with existing product strategy?".

Emphasize how your product innovation aligns with the interviewer's overarching goals and objectives. Articulate a clear value proposition that highlights the specific benefits and value that your idea brings to the table.

La resistencia en una entrevista puede ser un obstáculo pero también una oportunidad. Es esencial escuchar activamente la retroalimentación del entrevistador, intentar comprender su perspectiva para de esta forma abordar las objeciones de manera eficaz. La escucha activa muestra respeto y evidencia la valoración de la colaboración y la retroalimentación, cualidades importantes en la innovación de producto. Después de escuchar, es importante aclarar cualquier malentendido para poder mejorar aspectos específicos del producto. Una vez esclarecidas las dudas, debemos presentar evidencia que respalde nuestra idea de producto, como datos, investigaciones del cliente o ejemplos de innovaciones exitosas similares.

First and foremost, it's crucial to recognise that your past experiences and the solutions you've devised in response to challenges or gaps in the market are invaluable. They are a testament to your problem-solving capabilities and innovative thinking. When faced with resistance, remember that what you've accomplished and the learnings you've garnered from those experiences are irreplaceable and unique to you. It's essential to acknowledge that a solution that worked wonders in one context might not directly translate to success in another. This acknowledgment isn't an admission of failure but a recognition of the complex, nature of business problems. Each organisation has its unique culture, market positioning, and set of challenges.

Collaboration is key to innovation, if we are not open to the ideas of others we are not able to learn and grow in product development, however if you are confident enough in your concept, it is important to back it with validation. Evidence shows credibility of your concept. Make the interviewer aware that you believe that your idea together with their suggestions may actually result in a better outcome.

Al enfrentar oposición, el primer paso es escuchar activamente. Eso significa interactuar plenamente con las observaciones del entrevistador sin saltar a la defensa. Al comprender su punto de vista, puedo dirigirme mejor a sus preocupaciones. Al escuchar no solo escucho las palabras, sino que comprendo las inquietudes subyacentes que el entrevistador pueda tener. Luego, busco esclarecer cualquier duda sobre mi idea de innovación. Al presentar pruebas en apoyo a mi idea, construyo un caso convincente. Si la resistencia persiste, demuestro mi capacidad para adaptarme flexiblemente.

Understand the interviewee's points, argue what you think is worth it (because normally the interviewee doesn't have the whole context, market, production, costs, etc.) and co-create solutions that are effective for both the customer and healthy for the company.

Begin by actively listening to the concerns and objections raised by the interviewer or stakeholders. Seek to understand their perspectives and the reasons behind their resistance. Next, demonstrate your flexibility by offering alternative solutions or modifications to address their concerns while still achieving the desired outcomes. Highlight your ability to pivot and adjust your approach based on feedback, showcasing your adaptability and willingness to collaborate.

Flexibility is a key trait in product innovation. I suggest the following approaches in this scenario: 1) Fuse their ideas with yours and assess if that enhances overall success. 2) If their idea surpasses yours, fully embrace it. 3) If you believe your idea is superior to others, be firm and assertive, presenting objective elements rather than subjective ones. It's an opportunity for you to showcase your adaptability skills, open to accept right views or being assertive if situation demands.

If your ideas encounter confusion or lack of understanding, it might suggest pioneering disruptive or radical innovation. Innovators should embrace this as a sign of being ahead and a strong motivator to continue. However, ensuring the target audience adopts the innovation is the challenge. Alongside other analytical validations, storytelling with analogies to past successful innovations is convincing. By paralleling well-known successes, one can illustrate how the innovation applies. Connecting these examples to the broader context builds trust, which is crucial in the early stages of innovation adoption and diffusion.

Entender la resistencia en una entrevista implica una escucha activa, es decir, conectarse completamente con la perspectiva del entrevistador sin ponerse a la defensiva. Esto permite tratar las inquietudes de manera más efectiva y muestra una valoración por la colaboración y los comentarios, cualidades importantísimas en la innovación de productos. Posteriormente, al entender la perspectiva del entrevistador, se pueden esclarecer dudas y presentar argumentos que apoyen la propuesta de innovación, utilizando datos o ejemplos de innovaciones similares exitosas. De persistir la resistencia, es esencial demostrar la capacidad de adaptarse y estar dispuesto a considerar perspectivas alternativas que potencialmente enriquezcan la propuesta.

The outcome of the interview decision should not affect the way you interact. Networking is critical in the product innovation space. Regardless of whether you are successful in this interview or not, maintain a positive attitude during conversations and plan to leave the interview while intending to stay connected for collaboration on the product innovation ideas discussed during the interview process. Building the rapport and being on positive note can bring more success in this interview itself or remain doors open for the future opportunities.

Fostering rapport is crucial in interviews, particularly when your innovative ideas meet skepticism. The foundation of building effective rapport lies in authenticity, curiosity, empathy, and being an exceptional listener. These qualities ensure that the conversation transcends mere exchange of ideas, creating a partnership atmosphere. Emphasizing empathy and active listening can turn resistance into constructive engagement, making your proposals more palatable. This strategy not only showcases your innovation but also demonstrates your commitment to collaborative success, essential for overcoming initial hesitations.

Cuando me encuentro con resistencia, mi primer paso es escuchar activamente. Me enfoco en entender la retroalimentación sin defenderme de inmediato. De esta manera, puedo abordar las inquietudes de manera más efectiva y mostrar respeto por el punto de vista de la otra persona. Escuchar no es solo oír palabras, sino comprender las preocupaciones subyacentes. Una vez comprendido, busco aclarar dudas o malentendidos. Después, presento evidencia que respalde mi idea, demostrando mi habilidad para adaptarme y mi empatía. Mantengo mi confianza en mi idea pero equilibrándola con humildad.

During the ideation phase, the innovator must acknowledge their significant advantage. Sharing the product's rapid prototype and gathering feedback is immensely valuable. Even if stakeholders are not fully onboard, breaking down each innovation into fragments and exploring their potential in diverse setups or environments could bring more success than initially imagined. This approach can also assist in anchoring the technology as a whole and adapting to a different market segment if needed. Ultimately, this will help cultivate and reinforce confidence, a vital message for your innovation ecosystem.

If my product innovation ideas faced resistance in a job interview, I'd draw on my experience at YouTube to address it. I'd listen to concerns, empathize, and highlight YouTube's journey from skepticism to success through experimentation and iteration. I'd stress the importance of data-driven decision-making and user-centric design, showcasing how YouTube continually evolves by analyzing user behavior. My aim would be to demonstrate creativity, resilience, and a collaborative mindset to navigate resistance and drive innovation forward.

Me gustaría destacar la importancia de estar preparado. Cuando se presenta una innovación de producto, es clave contar con un conocimiento exhaustivo sobre todos sus aspectos. Esta preparación no sólo sirve para defender tu punto de vista, sino que también demuestra tu compromiso y dedicación. Además de tener datos e información a mano, también es clave anticipar posibles cuestiones o reticencias que puedan surgir, de modo que puedas abordarlas de manera proactiva y efectiva. Esta anticipación y preparación puede ser la diferencia entre una innovación de producto exitosa y una que no llega a despegar.

Towards end of the interview, ensure you are asking back right questions that can create good impression on them on your product innovation skills and your enthusiasm to join them in adding value to the org.