I tell everyone I live in the projects because I always have a project in the works.
It doesn’t matter if the project is one I dreamed up or you dreamed up, the success rate is dismal. Trial and error taught me two things – It’s all about the experience and not your experience, your customers.
“So, what’s the answer?” you ask.
It’s not as hard as we like to make it. Most likely the project your working on is in the industry you work in, right? So you feel you have an intimate knowledge what your customer wants and needs.
Maybe…
The truth is they are only your customers until they find something better. We are hunter/gatherers hardwired since we crawled out of the ooze. We hunt for more berries, sweeter berries and slower animals.
The solution is to get out on the street. Hang out in the coffee shops. Sit in the malls. Talk to people. Ask them about things. Most people will talk to anyone about almost anything when approached right. Don’t talk about your widget. Talk about their kids, their lives. Introduce your idea into the conversation when the time is right. People like to talk about themselves and they like to be helpful.
Just remember, your project to revolutionize your widget starts and ends with your customers experience.
