Comments on: Bad Strategy: When Customer Value and Core Competence Don’t Align

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 22:19:32 +0000

Perhaps it depends on where the customer is able to discern value, the core and misalignment occurs.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 05:03:00 +0000

Great post and discussion … already I’ve added to my own idea of how to bring these two components together more! Thanks! It can feel like riding the bus and pushing the bus at the same time, especially if your business involves cutting edge ideas for renewal. Do you agree?

By: J

Sat, 22 Jul 2006 20:38:11 +0000

The best way to figure out what your customers want is to…observe buying patterns. (start broken record mode) Too many companies lose sight of the fact that to stay alive they have to give the customer what the customer will pay for, not necessarily what the customer claims to want. Listening to customers is always a good idea, but it’s important to keep in mind that customers are prone to telling you (honestly) that they want something without letting you know that they won’t pay for it – extra legroom on air carriers being exhibit A.

By: David G

David G — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 01:08:10 +0000

1 – build something you would use
2 – ask for feedback from your customers
3 – LISTEN to them
4 – stack rank their ideas
5 – build whatever’s on top of that list
6 – repeat

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 22:01:25 +0000

Laurence,
I think you have hit the bullseye for why so many startups end up with a product or service that is quite different from what they set out to do.

By: laurence haughton

laurence haughton — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 21:56:27 +0000

Now if someone could only explain:
1) How to figure out specifically what a customer (really) values, and
2) What trade-offs they are willing to accept – That would really help.

Got any recommendations? I think you have to experiment and use your gut…