Laura Moran on Systematizing Product Development for Faster, Smarter Launches

Laura Moran

Laura Moran is the CEO and Founder of LPM Innovate and the creator of Pet Spark Navigator, a systematized framework that accelerates growth in the pet food industry. With decades of experience leading innovation at Mars and Barc, she now helps pet companies reduce time to market and embed strategic, sustainable product development processes.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[02:24] Laura’s journey from corporate leadership at Mars to founding her consultancy
[05:19] Why Laura decided to productize her services—and how she did it
[07:00] Common misalignments in R&D and how her framework bridges the gap
[08:30] The key steps in the Pet Spark Navigator framework
[12:01] Why systematization reduces crisis, improves alignment, and boosts employee engagement
[15:33] How small companies can overcome their fear of systems without losing agility

In this episode:

What if the secret to faster product launches and fewer team conflicts is better alignment between R&D and strategy?

In this episode of Systems Simplified, host Adi Klevit interviews Laura Moran, an innovation leader turned consultant, about how she helps pet food companies streamline innovation. Laura shares how her early experiences at Mars and Barc shaped her ability to turn big-business frameworks into agile, usable systems for smaller brands.

Laura describes the core components of her Pet Spark Navigator system—a structured process that aligns teams early, defines product expectations clearly, and embeds innovation capabilities within organizations. She explains how the system reduces rework, builds team confidence, and prevents costly mistakes down the line.

Throughout the conversation, Adi and Laura dive into how smaller companies often resist systems out of fear they’ll stifle creativity—when in reality, the right systems free teams to move faster with less risk. It’s a practical, actionable look at transforming chaos into repeatable growth.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:

“When products are clearly defined, execution goes very smoothly.”
“I realized I could help elevate the industry by sharing simplified frameworks that work in any size company.”
“Misalignment early on causes crisis mode at the eleventh hour—and that’s what costs companies money.”
“Entrepreneurs think systems slow them down. But without them, they’re sprinting in circles.”
“A little structure gives you freedom. It gives you predictability. It helps you avoid expensive mistakes.”
“I wanted my work to be pragmatic—not theory. That’s why every engagement is rooted in real product launches.”

Action Steps:

Identify pain points between R&D and business strategy in your company
Pilot a collaborative product definition tool with cross-functional teams
Host a one-day intensive session to align your team on 3–5 priority products
Develop a simple innovation roadmap with key questions and milestones
Coach your technical staff on business alignment and cross-functional communication
Recognize and correct the misconception that systems restrict entrepreneurial speed

Sponsor for this episode:

This episode is brought to you by Business Success Consulting Group.

At Business Success Consulting Group, we create custom processes and tailor-made management systems so businesses can thrive.

Businesses simply can’t survive without workable systems and well-documented processes. That’s why our team of experienced professionals takes care of it for you.

We provide business owners, entrepreneurs, and key executives with six phases to success, along with the long-lasting systems necessary to support business expansion.

So, what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor and cut the chaos out of your business.

Visit bizsuccesscg.com today or email info@bizsuccesscg.com to schedule a free consultation.