Comments on: Why Finance is the Key to any Launch http://launchclinic.com/2008/04/25/why-finance-is-the-key-to-any-launch/ Product launch training, expertise and community Tue, 6 Jan 2009 19:39:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Mike Croxton http://launchclinic.com/2008/04/25/why-finance-is-the-key-to-any-launch/#comment-1766 Mike Croxton Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:30:21 +0000 http://launchclinic.com/blog/2008/04/25/why-finance-is-the-key-to-any-launch/#comment-1766 As with any member of a launch team, Finance is an important component of that team and need to be active through the entire product lifecycle. We're all in agreement on that point. The one issue that is missed by most pms is that teaming with finance does not only give your launch greater chance of success but having finance as an ally through periods of difficult negotiation is tremendously important. As with any member of a launch team, Finance is an important component of that team and need to be active through the entire product lifecycle. We’re all in agreement on that point.

The one issue that is missed by most pms is that teaming with finance does not only give your launch greater chance of success but having finance as an ally through periods of difficult negotiation is tremendously important.

]]> By: David Daniels http://launchclinic.com/2008/04/25/why-finance-is-the-key-to-any-launch/#comment-1765 David Daniels Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:52:09 +0000 http://launchclinic.com/blog/2008/04/25/why-finance-is-the-key-to-any-launch/#comment-1765 I agree with Mike's point. I learned that some of my most valuable launch resources were Finance and Legal. Those groups would identify problem areas that weren't obvious and prevent little issues from becoming big ones. I agree with Mike’s point. I learned that some of my most valuable launch resources were Finance and Legal. Those groups would identify problem areas that weren’t obvious and prevent little issues from becoming big ones.

]]> By: Dana Theus http://launchclinic.com/2008/04/25/why-finance-is-the-key-to-any-launch/#comment-1752 Dana Theus Sat, 26 Apr 2008 14:38:43 +0000 http://launchclinic.com/blog/2008/04/25/why-finance-is-the-key-to-any-launch/#comment-1752 Mike: This is very true. I've had more than one product launch derailed or seriously delayed due to finance issues that should have been factored in earlier. However, I've also noticed that among my clients over the years it can be a matter of culture too. Some companies (notably those that have simpler billing and finance relationships with their customers) have a finance dept. that simply implements what the development and marketing teams push out the door. While I agree with you that they should be factored in sooner than three weeks, in some cases their involvement is a non-issue (i.e., merely executional) and the company has gotten used to this and evolved a launch system that factors it in. Still, I agree that involving them early is better for all the reasons you mention and I encourage my clients to do so. Dana Mike:

This is very true. I’ve had more than one product launch derailed or seriously delayed due to finance issues that should have been factored in earlier. However, I’ve also noticed that among my clients over the years it can be a matter of culture too. Some companies (notably those that have simpler billing and finance relationships with their customers) have a finance dept. that simply implements what the development and marketing teams push out the door. While I agree with you that they should be factored in sooner than three weeks, in some cases their involvement is a non-issue (i.e., merely executional) and the company has gotten used to this and evolved a launch system that factors it in.

Still, I agree that involving them early is better for all the reasons you mention and I encourage my clients to do so.

Dana

]]>