Abstract
The emotional state of many expecting parents shifts from unbridled joy to anxiety as the reality of learning to care for a newborn and forsaking their current lifestyle sinks in. Similarly, consumers have different concerns when they first hear about a new product compared to the time when they consider buying it. If the buying decision is in the distant future, consumers are primarily concerned with the benefits derived from using the product, such as how the product performs and symbolic benefits of owning the new product. As the buying decision draws closer, consumers shift attention to cost-related issues, such as how long will it take to learn how to use the product or how much will it cost to maintain and use it. Executing a two-phased communication strategy by management that is synchronized with this shift in mental processes by first emphasizing new product benefits and features and later focusing on the practical aspects of using the innovation can have a beneficial impact on both organizational performance and consumer welfare