Final answer:
External sources of generating product ideas include customers, and other stakeholders outside of the organization, offering valuable insights that may not be apparent internally. To answer the student's question, 'd. customers' are an external source of product ideas, as employees from R&D and marketing executives are generally considered internal sources.
Step-by-step explanation:
External sources of generating product ideas can significantly contribute to the innovation process in a business. These sources are critical as they offer different perspectives and may highlight needs and opportunities that internal sources might not identify. When a company looks for external input, it can consider the following options:
- Customers: They are primary sources of feedback as they use the products and can provide valuable insights into what improvements or new products they would like to see.
- Sales People: People who sell the products understand the customer's needs and the competitors' offerings, making them a great resource for new product ideas.
- Customer Service Representatives: They interact with customers on a daily basis and are aware of the common issues and requests that can lead to new product development.
- Marketing Executives: They have a broad view of the market and can identify trends and gaps that can be turned into product ideas.
Therefore, the accurate answer to the student's question is 'd. customers' as employees from R&D and marketing executives, though they can be sources of product ideas, are considered internal sources.