I want to handle new requirements

New requirements can be a source of inspiration and innovation.

They can come from many different sources:

• Authorities – e.g. regulatory requirements
• Customers – e.g. requirements for eco-friendly products
• Consumers – e.g. requirements that products are not produced in poor working conditions in the developing world.

You can approach requirements of this kind in two different ways:

1. Your company can look for innovative solutions that can give you an edge in the market opened up by the new requirements.
2. You can work with your corporate customers or suppliers on developing new and more sustainable solutions.

New requirements generate new ideas
Maybe you sell to a company that has stringent requirements for environmental and social performance. Use this as a source of innovation. It may even be the case that the customer will work with you to develop a product that meets consumers' requirements for sustainability.

Or perhaps you and your supplier can find new ways of replacing a product that needs to be phased out due to new environmental legislation.

Have your say on tomorrow's requirements
Large companies often invest extensive resources in predicting and influencing future requirements in their markets.

Perhaps you can gain an insight into the requirements of tomorrow – and an opportunity to influence them. Try going through your trade association or your network.