Serving Customers or Making Cars?

A great article from Dan Miller's 48 Days Newsletter....

There seems to be a subtle shift that takes place in the history of most businesses. Let's say Barney was a cave man who made great wagons. But there are only 20 people who live in his known world so as soon as he makes 20 wagons he's out of business. If he can't imagine using his skills for anything but wagon-making we might then see him sneaking around at night burning the wagons to rekindle demand. Or the town witch doctor knows he would not be needed if everyone were healthy. So he creates illnesses to keep his patients coming back rather than attempting to help them find ultimate health.

Now fast forward to 2008 in America same deal. We have auto manufacturers who can't risk making a car that really lasts they need 5-year obsolescence. Parts that wear out and systems that malfunction are a necessary component of keeping the machine of making cars in place. It would be self-defeating to make a car that semi-permanently met the customer's needs. You have to hope the customer doesn't stay happy with their purchase for too long.

Do you really think we aren't smart enough to make a lightbulb that would last essentially forever? But what would that do to the sales of lightbulbs?

What if a counselor or chiropractor really helped every client they saw? Got them to a point of healthy functioning on their own? How would he/she pay the mortgage the next month? Keeping people dependent on their services may become more important than seeing them get better.

If you realize your work is more dependent on keeping a system in place than on meeting the real needs of your customers, you are indeed vulnerable. Real estate developers, publishing houses, record labels, auto manufacturing and investment firms are all suffering in their attempts to keep systems in place rather than responding to the changes in demand of the marketplace.

What we need are new ways to engage our creative skills; not government support to allow us to keep doing what no longer works.

I happen to be a car enthusiast, but I think it's a joke that someone decided we needed new models every calendar year? My primary car is a 1991 Mercedes 500SL it's 18 years old! It looks great, has great styling and is fun to drive. I'd love to see a 5-year car where nothing changed for at least 5 years, or even 10. Can you imagine the streamlining of parts and service, and the reduced waste from excessive manufacturing?

Now what are you doing in your work or business to make sure you are serving your customer's needs, even if those needs change?

Barefeet & Coaching

Here are two companies Dan Miller turned me on to that should be worth your time checking out if you're a entreprenuer wanna be or already are one... I plan on using the coaching services in the future...

The Barefoot Executive (tm)
Carrie Wilkerson is the voice of experience. From corporate life to teaching high school to direct sales, she has 'been there and done that' professionally and personally. An 'overnight mom' to 2 toddlers through adoption, her priorities instantly changed and so did her workplace. She's now built several businesses and coached others to do the same while overcoming extreme debt, losing 110 lbs and having 2 more children, for a total of 4, ages infant through 12!

As "The Barefoot Executive,” Carrie and her network of experts have quickly become the definitive resource for helping women achieve extra income and career goals while working from home.

Chuck Bowen Coaching - Financial, Career & Business
"Need to do better (maybe a lot better?) with your personal finances? Is your business as profitable, or enjoyable, as you'd like it to be? Seeking your calling in your career? Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching. If you want to transform your life permanently for the better, he's your guy. Dave Ramsey trusts Chuck to train his financial coaches, and he serves as President of Dan Miller’s 212 Connection. What better proof is there?!"

Your Days

A great post from Dan Miller of 48 Days.  At Brighthouse, an Atlanta-based innovation consulting firm, staff members get five week’s vacation, AND five Your Days. The five Your Days are free days that the staff are encouraged to use to visit someplace conducive to reflection and thinking. No particular goal to solve anything – just what they call “blue-sky thinking.” CEO Joey Reiman believes this unstructured thinking is just as important to their success as time spent hunkered down in client meetings or looking at computer screens. Other companies like Maddock Douglas and Google also encourage their workers to spend up to 20 percent of their work hours pursuing whatever intrigues them. Make sure you’re spending time thinking -- and making your life meaningful

Patrons of Change

I'm a subscriber to a podcast called Patrons of Change.  Every month I'm updated with content, information and news I can use to build my businesses and flush out my business ideas.  If you're a founder of a business anywhere, you'll find this website, podcast and the meetings to be valuable entrepreneurial resources and encouragement.

Every month I try to make their Entrepreneurial Meetup at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Brentwood/Cool Springs.  Patrons of Change was founded by Lucas Parry and Marc Krejci.  They are also friends of mine.  I distribute Lucas Parry music product at Go Global Entertainment.   

In this month's episode of the Patrons of Change podcast Marc Krecji sat down with Dr. Jeffrey R. Cornwall who is the Jack C. Massey Chair in Entrepreneurship at Belmont University’s Center for Entrepreneurship. One of the great ways to change the world is through business, and understanding the dynamics of how to start and run your own business can be overwhelming.  Dr. Cornwall discusses what makes an entrepreneur, what it takes to be an entrepreneur, the current business climate and dispels some popular myths about entrepreneurship.