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Reverse Innovation 43#

Simple and inexpensive products, that were developed within and for emerging markets, are also sold in industrial countries. The term ‘reverse’ refers to the process by which new products are typically developed in industrial countries and then adapted to fit emerging market needs.


Apply this pattern to your own business and create your next innovative business model!

Examples: Iconic Cases

How they do it: GE develops many products especially for the needs of emerging markets. One example is an ultrasound device which had to be portable to be suited for use in rural india. GE then developed an ultra low cost, portable, battery-operated ultrasound device for rural India and China. This invention has now also found wide approval in developed economies where the increased portability allows the machine to be used e.g. in accident first response.
Learn more about General Electric →

How they do it: Procter & Gamble developed a lower-price diaper line with a reduced set of features for its Brazilian market in 2010. Customers who were unable to afford the company’s more expensive diapers were willing to pay for a solution that would keep babies dry overnight, given that many co-sleep with their children. The basic tier of products now exists around the world under different brand names (e.g. Simply Dry in Western Europe).
Learn more about Procter & Gamble →

How they do it: When Logitech introduced its high-tech wireless computer mice in China it experienced limited interest due to the high price and the circumstance that due to the high population density wireless mice signals would interfer with each other. The company then introduced a more basic version of its mouse which it could then offer on a competitive price level. This redesign was not only in China but globally a success.
Learn more about Logitech →

How they do it: The product "Knorr Stock Pot" is an example of a reverse innovation approach by Hindustan Unilever. The first country to launch in 2007 was China under the brand "Dense Soup Treasure", where there was no bouillon cube market, and soup-consumption is very high. Chinese home-cooks love the convenient way to create the dense soups their mothers and grandmothers made. In 2010, the product was introduced in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Belgium, Greece and many other European countries.
Learn more about Hindustan Unilever →

How they do it: Nokia is observing how mobile phones are used by customers in Africa and India and then incorporate those learnings for new products they introduce in the developed markets. One example is a dust and moisture proof, highly durable phone which was a great success in emerging markets and then inspired a similar version for developed markets.
Learn more about Nokia →



Apply this pattern to your own business and create your next innovative business model!