April 23, 2010

Customers and Other Relationships

We are not seats or eyeballs or end users or consumers. We are human beings and our reach exceeds your grasp. Deal with it.
Cluetrain Manifesto April 1999

No matter if you own the company, manage the company or work at the company, you have customers. You are a customer or client too.

There is an internal client network also known as stakeholders. The presence of a cash register is secondary to the importance of these relationships.

You either sell your goods or services to another company or to the person who will use your stuff. They are customers either way.

Who's Buyin'? Who's Sellin'?

You may do e-commerce, create widgets, provide advice or build things but you always have customers.

We are both providers and consumers and often at the same time. Think about that the next time you’re pumping your own gas.

Your company may help another company improve their offering by increasing the quality of your part of the equation that makes the final product better. No matter what service you provide, you eventually need others to help.

Whether you live in the business-to-business or business-to-consumer space, you need your customers to help you decipher how to improve it .

You need people inside your organization. You need suppliers and buyers. You need feedback and teamwork. And most of all, you need relationships. We reside on both sides of the proverbial counter.

How important are the relationships inside your organization? Are your suppliers crucial to your success? Is the feedback from customers essential for your advancement?

@knealemann
strategy. marketing. social media.

photo credit: almightydad

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