When to Phase Out a Service or Product

We entrepreneurs have an unbelievable propensity for optimism. When it comes to cutting ties with something familiar, we often face familiarity bias. So, when it’s time to phase out a product or service, we tend to cling to it. Or because it’s familiar to us, we never know the right time to innovate our product or service mix and lose out on opportunities to widen our margins. But, friends, the world of business is a world of change. The economy ebbs and flows, and consumer trends always evolve. And as things change, we business owners have to be adaptable and in constant creation mode.

In this episode, I outline the factors that tell us it’s time to let go of an offer in our business. I explain what the product life cycle is, the characteristics of its different stages, and the variables that impact its phases. I discuss some key considerations we must make before discontinuing a product or service. I also highlight how tracking the profitability of a product or service can help us evaluate if we should discontinue it and underscore how you can effectively communicate to your customers the discontinuation of a product or service.

“When we understand our biases, we can take an objective look at whether or not we should continue a product offering.” - Justin Goodbread

This week on the Financially Simple Experience:

• Understanding the product life cycle and its four phases
• Signs that a product has reached its growth and maturity phases
• Different factors that impact the different phases of a product’s life cycle
• Tracking the profitability of a product or service
• How focusing on one product too much can harm your product mix and your business
• Looking at employee costs and the cost of production
• A quick and dirty math tip for business owners
• How highly engaged and motivated employees can increase your profit margins
• How to make cross-selling opportunities work
• Considering your product array and the power of cross-selling
• How products can “cannibalize” others in your product array
• How to effectively communicate product or service discontinuation to your customers or clients

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “We could be harming ourselves by chasing an old, dying product or service when we should be focusing on a new one which could make a greater margin for our business.” - Justin Goodbread
• “As we try to navigate the world of business, we have to look at the offering we deliver to customers and clients. We want an offering that makes clients stick around—that drives profitability, scalability, and the value of our companies.” - Justin Goodbread
• “The way you communicate a product’s discontinuation drives perception. And, as we say: perception is reality.” - Justin Goodbread

About The Financially Simple Podcast If you are looking for a podcast that speaks directly to the challenges and puzzles of running a business, you’ve come to the right place. The Financially Simple podcast was built for you. With over 400 episodes and counting, our host Justin Goodbread covers a broad range of topics, from starting a small business, to prepping it for sale, to growing your personal wealth. Justin’s combination of analytical skills, tough love, and a healthy dose of experience delivers practical ideas that will benefit business builders at every stage of their business journey. 

If you have questions or comments for Justin, submit those at: https://financiallysimple.com/ask-justin/ Connect with Justin: Financially Simple newsletter Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Subscribe Here: Apple Podcast Spotify Google Podcast iHeart Radio Stitcher

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Financially Simple is a division of WealthSource Partners, LLC (“WSP”), which offers investment advisory and financial planning services. All investing involves risk of loss, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results and nothing in this podcast should be construed as a guarantee of any specific outcome or profit. All market indices discussed are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs and expenses, and cannot be invested into directly. Business planning services offered by WealthSource Business Advisors, LLC (“WBA”).

This podcast is distributed for informational purposes only. The content of this podcast represents the views and opinions of Justin Goodbread and/or the podcast’s guests and do not necessarily represent the views and/or opinions of WBA, WSP or their affiliates or representatives. Statements made in this podcast are subject to change without notice. Neither WBA, WSP or their representatives, the podcast’s hosts or its guests have an obligation to provide revised statements in the event of changed circumstances. Statements made in the podcast are not to be construed as legal or accounting advice or as personalized advice of any nature. Listeners should conduct their own review of any statements made or strategies discussed and exercise judgment or consult with their own professional advisor to see how the information contained in this podcast may apply to their own circumstances.