The Secret to Driving Innovation in Your CPG Enterprise

Enterprises in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry operate in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment where innovation is essential. Changing consumer habits and the need to future-proof operations are just some of the pressures leaders face, making it crucial to develop effective growth strategies.

As the leading crowdsourcing platform for insight and innovation from Millennials and Gen Z consumers, MindSumo helps top CPG companies address these issues with our open innovation solutions. We empower companies to uncover fresh ideas, improve their products, and stay competitive in the market.

What Our Open Innovation Solutions Mean for CPG Enterprises

MindSumo partners with CPG enterprises to create challenges that target key areas of their businesses. Some challenges focus on future trends, such as the development of consumer buying habits, while others are aimed at reaching specific goals, like creating new products.

For example, CPG companies have used MindSumo to create more attractive packaging, highlight important product features in marketing, and reposition products to boost sales. With MindSumo, these companies gained insights that helped them stay ahead of trends and adapt to changing customer needs.

A MindSumo challenge can also collect valuable data and insights about a company’s products and services and how they impact the market. Within the MindSumo “Challenge” framework, clients can also create survey-style questions that offer more context for each submission, helping us better understand customer demographics, preferences, and lifestyle habits.

Examples of MindSumo Open Innovation Challenges in the CPG Market

The examples below demonstrate how CPG enterprises work with MindSumo’s collective of 1.5+ million solvers to generate innovative ideas.

Challenge: How can we convey our commitment to sustainability in the name and tagline of our new haircare product line?

• Summary: Responses highlighted the term “upcycle” and similar phrases like “creative reuse,” reflecting sustainability themes. Proposed names also emphasized “better for you” and “better for the planet” qualities.
• Results: Over 160 submissions were received, and the $2,000 prize was distributed among the top 25%, based on an established scoring system. Over 10 ideas submitted through the MindSumo challenge went on to receive additional testing, and one of these names ended up being selected by the client.

Challenge: What yard care innovation will make gardening easier?

• Summary: Solvers were asked about gardening challenges, potential solutions, and how their ideas addressed those issues. A survey gathered additional insights about gardening habits, plant types, and product preferences.
• Results: From 88 submissions, 11 solutions were selected and shared a $1,700 award. These ideas provided the client a strong starting point for developing a new yard care product line.

Challenge: What is the next non-alcoholic beverage to take consumers by storm?

• Summary: Solvers completed a survey on demographics, beverage shopping priorities, and ingredient preferences before submitting ideas for the next big trend in non-alcoholic beverages.
• Results: Seeking a wide range of ideas, the client awarded 50% of the 280+ submissions a share of the $2,000 prize. At least three ideas submitted to the MindSumo challenge ended up in the prototype funnel for this client.

These are just a few examples of the challenges for our CPG clients. In each case, we worked closely with them to define the desired outcomes, set prize amounts, and provide clear instructions.

After the challenge, we delivered a detailed report and helped identify the top solutions for recognition and awards. We also provided ongoing support to ensure the winning solutions drove successful outcomes for our clients.

See How MindSumo Can Make a Difference for Your CPG Enterprise

Take a step back and consider your CPG enterprise. Where could fresh ideas and insights help you achieve your biggest goals? Incorporating MindSumo’s open innovation challenges into your strategy can help you grow faster and improve your competitive edge.

Curious about the benefits of open innovation? Simply fill out this form with your challenge topic ideas, and our team will create a mock-up for review. Share your company’s details and goals (we’ll help you refine them), and you’ll receive valuable ideas and insights to help you craft a plan for incorporating open innovation into your initiatives.

If you’d like to brainstorm ways to bring MindSumo open innovation into your business, we’re ready to help. Let’s schedule a time to discuss what our open innovation solutions can do for you.