AIM Archives - Month: November 2023

A value proposition is simply improving important outcome(s) for customers’ benefit.

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Unlike many B2C benefits, e.g. amusement, comfort, and self-esteem, B2B customer benefits are usually measurable, economic and—wait for it now—predictable. This predictability means B2B suppliers who study customer outcomes, like a science, will be handsomely rewarded. B2B customers will eagerly help you… if you know how to ask them.

More in white paper, www.guessingatcustomerneeds.com

Keep a straight face if you say, “This is the most important quarter in our company’s history.”

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Of course, employees will be laughing; they’ve heard this one before. When satisfying the expectations of Wall Street analysts conflicts with building the firm’s long-term competitive strength, guess which usually wins? Any employee who’s been through travel restrictions, investment delays, hiring freezes, etc. knows the answer.

More in 2-minute video at 5. Shareholder wealth is a poor goal

Validating your hypothesis with customers doesn’t tell you about market needs, just market reaction.

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Many companies think they have learned about customer needs when they visit customers to validate their hypothesis or potential solution. They have not. They have learned about market reaction. To a single idea. Their idea. On top of this, it’s likely this customer reaction was distorted by confirmation bias.

More in white paper, www.b2btimingiseverything.com (page 15)

Never rely on Brownian motion for change management.

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Some executives expect employees to deliver innovation-driven growth without investing in company-wide tools and skills. Either nothing changes, or employees run off changing things in random (Brownian motion) directions. Be intentional about what new behavior is needed, and take unwavering steps to drive it. Tip: Research shows that one of the strongest growth drivers is learning strong B2B voice-of-customer skills.

More in research report, www.b2bvocskills.com