Steelcase Inc.

Systems Product Marketing & Development

Photo by Steelcase Inc.

Steelcase Inc. is a $3.1 billion company with its global headquarters located in Grand Rapids, MI. Steelcase has been chosen as one of Fortune's top ten most admirable companies. With a focus on constant learning and prolific innovation, Steelcase is the world's leader in workplace design and furniture manufacturing. Having recently celebrated 100 years, Steelcase has six different brands, the most elite global companies in the world as customers, and services in consulting, research, and performance management.

what did i do?

December 2016 - June 2018

*Unable to show examples of the following work due to company privacy regulations.

Forecasted sales and produced research on product enhancements.

I worked on Steelcase's largest product line, Answer System, bringing in almost a third of the entire furniture revenue. With many similar competitors, the line has to be constantly updated to match users' needs and current trends. I researched competitors and customer requests to see what our product was lacking in the marketplace. I then completed sales forecasts for the product enhancements based off of data on similar product features currently in the statement of line and "special order" sales history.

Collected and analyzed years of product sales volume to top global companies.

I pulled 12 product sales volume reports and spent weeks sorting through thousands of rows of data. With this data I drew conclusions on how well the products are doing in the marketplace. I then researched and interacted with the top customers of those products (e.g. Alphabet Inc, Microsoft, Starbucks Corporation, Berkshire Hathaway) to figure out why they are buying and what they are buying.

Designed persuasive presentations for executives.

From the data I pulled and analyzed, and the customer sales history research I conducted, I put together a presentation that displayed my conclusions. These presentations were used by my team members to present to the CEO and other executives on why a product should stay on the market, or why there is a need for a new product or new materiality.

Generated price comparisons and extensive competitive matrices.

When a new product was recently launched or was set to launch, I created a price comparison matrix to show how the product would be valued in the marketplace. I also created matrices on materiality and features to determine if it was necessary to adjust a products design or function due to the competitive offering and user requests.

Engaged in design thinking workshops to assess current market trends and solve for broad company problems.

With many market shifts like ancillary trends, the mesh of technology and creativity, and customizable materiality, multiple design thinking workshops were held across categories to quickly respond to these shifts.

Strategized on three different development and launch teams for market-leading products and competitive-based products.

During my time on these teams I was able to experience product development from the early stages of research and abstract concepts, to the later steps of engineering and design, pricing and marketing, and the final launch date.

Learning and Innovation Center where I worked.	At NEOCON in Chicago, the largest workplace design show in the world.
At NEOCON in Chicago, the largest workplace design show in the world.	Learning and Innovation Center where I worked.
Development and launch team for a market-leading product.	Posing as a model in the Turnstone ancillary brand shoot.
Customizable materiality design thinking workshop.	Customizable materiality design thinking workshop.
Customizable materiality design thinking workshop.	Photoshoot for a newly launched product.
The famous Steelcase Work Cafè in the global headquarters building.	Development and launch team for a competitive-based product.
The world-famous "Big Blue" Steelcase truck.	Working in the University building.