From the idea to the finished product – the whole journey.
I have made this journey several times with my own products: idea, design, prototype, test, series production in Asia, launch, scaling. Every phase has its own mistakes, and I have made most of them myself. Here are the nine steps. The detailed articles behind them are currently available in German.
- 01Develop · 2–3 weeks · article in German→
Validate and refine the idea
Is it a real problem or just a preference? Before any money goes into design, the idea has to prove that someone needs it.
- 02Develop · 1–3 months · article in German→
Build prototype & MVP
From the validated idea to the first version that works: the minimum viable product, reduced to its core function.
- 03Test · 1–3 months · article in German→
Test sales
The MVP works, the technology is tested. Now the decisive question: is there real demand – and at what price?
- 04Test · 2–3 months · article in German→
Create marketing & design
Brand, logo and colours have to match the positioning in the industry, so that the target group feels addressed.
- 05Manufacture · 2–3 weeks · article in German→
Write the business & financial plan
The point of no return. Everything is ready – now it is time to stay calm and put the numbers on paper.
- 06Manufacture · 4–5 months · article in German→
Start production
Profitability is largely decided in purchasing. The start of production has many pitfalls, and most of them can be avoided.
- 07Grow · 2–12 months · article in German→
Launch the project
The product is ready for the market. Before you flip the switch, everything has to run smoothly.
- 08Grow · ongoing · article in German→
Automate processes
Scaling decides long-term success: standard processes, building the team and raising capital.
- 09Grow · 6–8 months · article in German→
Prepare the company valuation
Thinking about an exit: how a young company is valued, and what the multiples method compares.
One day in your business – by the evening you know how much the solution saves or adds in revenue.
Two days of work, zero risk: you only pay once you know the number – and only if it adds up for you.
First, a 20-minute call: Do you make or sell products? How many people? Which process hurts the most?
- freeDay 1
The Test Bench
Analysis on site
I come to your business and walk through the one process with the people who do it every day. Numbers, routes, exceptions – everything that isn’t in a spreadsheet.
- freeDay 2
The Solution
Solution and estimate
I build the solution and do the maths. By the evening you have two pages: what it saves or adds in revenue, in euros – and a clear no if it isn’t worth it.
- fixed priceDay 3
The Installation
Installation and handover
The solution goes into your business: integration, data, training your people, documentation. At the fixed price agreed on day 2.
The one-third guarantee
You pay at most one third of what the solution saves or earns you. If that doesn’t add up, you get no offer – just an honest no. The fixed price is set at the end of day 2, before you buy anything.
On day 1 you see my own ERP, my bookkeeping and my shop live – that’s how my business has been running for years.
You have an idea and want to know whether it will make the journey?
Three questions, and you know whether the Test Bench makes sense for you. Munich · Rosenheim · Traunstein · Salzburg.