Lesson Plan

• Describe internal and external sources of new product ideas.
• Analyse the advantages and limitations of each source.
• Apply a systematic process to capture and evaluate ideas.
• Evaluate how market trends and regulatory changes influence idea generation.
• Design a simple cross‑functional workshop to harness idea sources.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Printed handout of source summary
• Digital suggestion platform demo (e.g., Padlet)
• Sample market‑research reports
• Sticky notes and flip chart

Begin with a quick poll: ask students to name a product they think was inspired by a recent trend. Link this to the importance of constantly sourcing fresh ideas to stay competitive. Explain that today they will identify where businesses find these ideas and how to organise them.

1. Do‑now (5') – students list recent product innovations and guess their sources.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – overview of internal vs. external sources with slides.
3. Group activity (15') – teams map internal sources for a case company on a worksheet.
4. Case analysis (10') – examine external sources using provided market‑research excerpts.
5. Workshop design (10') – groups outline a simple idea‑capture system and present.
6. Check for understanding (5') – quick quiz via Kahoot.

Summarise how both internal and external sources feed the product‑idea pipeline. Ask each group to write one key takeaway on a sticky note as an exit ticket. For homework, students will research a recent product launch and identify the sources of its idea.