Reinventing the Product by Eric Schaeffer and David Sovie Summary
Overview of Reinventing the Product
In "Reinventing the Product," Accenture's elite strategists reveal how companies like Haier design new products in just 30 days. What digital transformation secret do Tesla, Samsung, and Google share that's reshaping entire industries? Patrick Koller, Faurecia CEO, calls it "essential reading."
Similar books to Reinventing the Product
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
The Digital Revolution Reshaping Everything We Touch
Imagine a world where your refrigerator not only keeps food cold but suggests recipes based on its contents and automatically orders groceries when supplies run low. Picture your car learning your driving habits, adapting its performance accordingly, and transforming into a mobile office during your commute. This isn't science fiction - it's the near future described in "Reinventing the Product." For over two centuries, industrial products followed a predictable pattern: companies designed and manufactured items, sold them through distribution channels, and considered their job complete once the sale was finalized. That linear value chain is experiencing what's called a "tectonic tilt" toward a circular model where digitally intelligent products maintain constant communication with manufacturers, users, and other products throughout their lifespan. The economic implications are staggering. Today's typical product derives about 40% of its value from software, 30% from electronics, 20% from mechanical components, and 10% from digital elements. By 2030, this distribution will flip dramatically - digital components will represent 70% of product value, software will account for 20%, while electronics and mechanical parts will shrink to just 5% each. This value migration explains why seven of the world's ten most valuable companies are now platform businesses rather than traditional manufacturers. As one Google executive put it: "Within the next decade, every product will use AI in some form. The question isn't whether to implement it, but how."
The Product Reinvention Grid: Mapping Your Transformation Journey
From Features to Experiences: Winning Hearts, Not Specs
From Hardware to Platforms: Building Digital Ecosystems
From Mechanical to Artificial Intelligence: Products That Think and Learn
From Linear to Agile Engineering: Continuous Evolution
The Future Is Already Here: Are You Ready?
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Reinventing the Product Summary in 9 Minutes
Break down key ideas from Reinventing the Product into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 8 Insights from Reinventing the Product in a Nutshell
Distill Reinventing the Product into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - Reinventing the Product Lessons Told Through 25-Min Stories
Experience Reinventing the Product through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Reinventing the Product Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the Reinventing the Product summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.