Start with the customer in mind from "summary" of You, Inc by Harry Beckwith
Imagine you are a carpenter. You have spent years perfecting your craft, honing your skills, and creating beautiful pieces of furniture. You are proud of your work, and rightly so. But now imagine if you were to create a piece of furniture without considering who will be using it. What if you built a chair that was too tall for the average person to sit comfortably in? Or a table that was too wobbly to hold anything more than a feather?This may seem like an extreme example, but it illustrates a crucial point. No matter how skilled you are at your craft, no matter how much time and effort you put into creating something, if you do not consider the needs and desires of the person who will be using it, your work will fall short. This is why it is so important to start with the customer in mind.
When you begin a project with the customer in mind, you are able to tailor your work to their specific needs and preferences. You are able to anticipate what they will want and how they will use your product or service. This allows you to create something that not only meets their expectations but exceeds them.
Starting with the customer in mind also helps you to stay focused on what really matters. It can be easy to get caught up in the details of a project, to obsess over the smallest of details. But when you keep the customer at the forefront of your mind, you are able to cut through the noise and concentrate on what is truly important.
By starting with the customer in mind, you are able to create a better experience for them. You are able to anticipate their needs, address their concerns, and provide them with a product or service that truly adds value to their lives. And in doing so, you are not only benefiting them but yourself as well. After all, happy customers are more likely to become repeat customers, to recommend you to others, and to help your business grow.
So the next time you embark on a new project, whether it is creating a piece of furniture or launching a new marketing campaign, remember to start with the customer in mind. Consider who will be using your product or service, what they will want from it, and how you can best meet their needs. By doing so, you are setting yourself up for success and ensuring that your work will truly make a difference.
