What's most Important?

The customer! That's what David Scott tells us in Chapter 10 of his book The New Rules of Marketing and PR. I read chapter 10 this week, although I lost my paper with the reading schedule, and I feel like I haven't been to class in ages, so hopefully this is the correct reading.

Anyway, Scott tells us that too many businesses and organizations focus too much on their product, and not enough on the customer and that in fact, the customer should be the number one priority... not your product.

I agree with this completely.

The only thing I can compare this to (and I think it works) is radio. Sure there are hundreds of things that come into play with maintaining a successful radio station for example the music, commercials, and the on-air talent, but you have nothing without the listener. A lot of mentors that I've talked to have taught me that the most important thing you can do is connect to the listener (or the customer).

I think that Social Media is a great way to do this. Personally, I'd be much more likely to purchase something from a company that has made an attempt to connect with me in some sort. Locally here in Ada, you see hundreds of kids who are friends with "Padrones Ada". A day doesn't go buy where they don't wish every single one of their friends a Happy Birthday. I've seen people get free food by sharing with them their concerns and comments right on Facebook.

Scott has it right. If we don't put the customer first, there's no point in even worrying about your product.