The changing role of R&D

Powerful trends affect product development and the creation of business val ue today. "Main-Street " companies must improve their profits and "all " co mpanies face aggressive revenue targets. For everyone this means finding ne w ways to fill the gap between current and projected revenue goals. A compa ny, increases its market capitalization by filling this gap, a burden resti ng predominantly on R&D. R&D has traditionally been focused internally on p roduct development and, to some degree on mergers and acquisitions. R&D 's role must now, expand and take on a greater scope to meet the financial goa ls of the company.