Today’s “market” is really unpredictable. This rant is NOT about giving you advice for how to navigate that mess. Instead, to remind you and me of why any market exists in the first place.
Markets are simple. Markets are “places” where supply meets demand. Buyer meets seller. A conversation occurs. They look each other in the eye and the buyer quickly evaluates the offering and the offeror. The questions that the buyer asks are straight up and simple.
Do I have use for this product/service? Do I have the resources to purchase this product/service? Do I believe in the value proposition the seller is proposing? Do I trust him/her? Do I trust his/her product?
The marketplace has always been a place where buyers and sellers get together, look each other in the eye, and exchange goods and services. Simple. Valuable. HONEST.
The marketplace that you play in may not be simple, valuable, or honest as it exists today. You may NOT be able to change the way your competitors, your suppliers, or your customers interact. You may be able to change them over time, and through your innovations..
However, you can change how you interact. You can change that…NOW!
You can build a really cool company, with a really cool vision, filled with really inspired people, playing together like a really cool BAND, and turning out a really cool product that does something…
Simple.
Valuable.
HONEST.
Do that. Please, do that NOW.
When your customers enter into your “marketplace” do they understand why your product is separate from the “pile?”
When you TALK with your customers do they hear the “value” in your proposition?
Can they translate that value into something they value?
Do you look them in the eye or hide behind your powerpoint?
Does your firm handshake mean we have a deal and it is HONEST?
Does your firm handshake say little, but your little, “fine”print, say it ALL?
BUILT TO LEAD 