HSCS-005 – Find a need, fill a need (Pt5, Run your business like Gordon Ramsay)
February 16, 2009 by Roland Reinhart
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (9.9MB)
Last episode we talked about how to discover what your customers really want. Now we’ll talk about transformational change. Plus, I’ll share my recent experience providing feedback as part of a customer advisory panel. Finally, I have a few more online resources to discover networking events near you.
Topic #1 – Give your customers what they really want
During the last episode (#4), we discussed how to find out what the customers really want.
What will the market bear?
Are you charging too much?
Are you charging too little?
Once you have that directional knowledge, you have to take those learnings and fill a need.
I love the quote in the kids movie “Robots”: “Find a need. Fill a need.”
If there isn’t a good hamburger for miles, be known for serving the best one.
If the locals are all young bohemians, serve cheap good food that they can afford.
If the local butcher says thick steak is his number one best seller, and there are no steak houses in town, perhaps you should transform into a steak house.
“Find a need. Fill a need.”
Topic #2 – Learning what your customers want (continued)
I was asked to join an advisory panel for a service I subscribe to. In this case it’s regarding a mobile site for a service I use.
Survey was simple. It let me comment on specific screens/functionality. Gave me an open ended response field to type in a verbatim response — as opposed to closed ended questions where I can only choose from the answers provided. They even displayed screen shots of the mobile website as a reminder of the interface. (very smart)
It gave me a sounding board to provide three points of critical feedback about the user experience. But they might have lost out on my valuable input due to a stupid mistake on their part. The survey invitation email subject line simply said “WAP Survey”
Very careless. “WAP” is a meaningless term to most people. Speak to me in English, not acronyms. They’re lucky that I’ve worked in mobile marketing and know what it means. Otherwise I would’ve deleted the email without opening it.
Topic #3 – More useful online resources to find events in your area
During episode #3, we talk about how to use Meetup.com to find networking events close to home. Here are two more:
Learned about them listening to CC Chapman’s excellent podcast on new media.
Personally, I got better search results on Meetup.com. But you might have better luck depending on where you live.
This has been part 5 of my series: Run your business like Gordon Ramsay. We’ll break down key observations on how to turn a failing business into a success. Chef Gordon Ramsay has successfully launched several restaurants and in his popular show, Kitchen Nightmares (Fox, BBC America), he helps failing business owners identify their weaknesses and implement significant positive change in the way their business is operated. Love him or hate him, his keen business skills and insistence on high standards have made him a success.
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