You can’t just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they’ll want something new.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote challenges the conventional approach to customer satisfaction and highlights the need for forward-thinking and innovative solutions. It suggests that simply asking customers about their current needs and desires may not be sufficient in meeting their long-term expectations. By the time a product or service is developed based on those initial preferences, customer demands may have evolved, and they may already be seeking something new.
The quote underscores the importance of anticipating and staying ahead of customer needs, rather than merely reacting to their immediate requests. It encourages businesses and individuals to adopt a proactive mindset, constantly seeking ways to innovate and provide value that goes beyond surface-level desires. Successful companies often differentiate themselves by offering products or services that customers didn't even realize they needed until they were introduced to them.
In essence, this quote emphasizes the significance of understanding the underlying motivations and aspirations of customers. It urges businesses to delve deeper into consumer behavior, analyze trends, and identify emerging needs and preferences. By doing so, organizations can develop innovative solutions that not only meet current demands but also anticipate future desires, thereby staying ahead of the competition.
Ultimately, this quote serves as a reminder that true customer satisfaction and business success come from a combination of actively listening to customers, understanding their unmet needs, and continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation to provide solutions that surpass their expectations. It encourages a proactive and customer-centric approach that goes beyond simply reacting to what customers say they want in the present moment.
Who said the quote?
The quote "You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new." was said by Steve Jobs (Bio / Quotes). Steve Jobs was a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple Inc.
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Is there a historical example that illustrates the message of the quote?
A classic example of this concept is found in the history of the technology industry, particularly with the development of the Apple iPhone. In the early 2000s, Apple was in the process of creating what would eventually become the iPhone. At that time, mobile phones were dominated by hardware keyboards and basic features, and there was a common belief that customers valued practical, physical keys for typing and interacting with their phones.
Instead of simply building a phone based on existing customer feedback about what they wanted, Apple, under the leadership of Steve Jobs, took a different approach. They envisioned a device that would revolutionize how people interact with technology, incorporating a touchscreen interface that was far ahead of its time. Jobs famously dismissed the idea of a physical keyboard, arguing that the future of mobile phones was in an innovative interface that could adapt to various needs and applications.
When the iPhone was finally released in 2007, it was not what most consumers had explicitly asked for; it was something entirely new and different. This visionary approach, which anticipated future needs and desires rather than merely responding to present ones, transformed the smartphone industry. Consumers quickly adapted to and embraced this new technology, and the demand for touchscreens and app-based interfaces surged, proving Jobs's approach correct.
This example illustrates the quote’s message: by the time the iPhone was on the market, consumer preferences had already evolved, and the innovative product Apple introduced became the new benchmark for what people wanted in a mobile device.
How can the quote be applied in a real-life scenario?
In real life, applying the quote's lesson can be especially valuable for entrepreneurs and businesses. Consider a startup aiming to develop a new social media platform. If the team solely relies on current user feedback to shape their product, they might end up creating something that merely tweaks existing platforms rather than offering something groundbreaking.
For instance, if they were to ask users what features they wanted and then built those features, they might focus on improvements to existing functionalities such as better privacy controls or enhanced photo editing. While these are important, they may not address deeper, emerging needs that could redefine how people interact online.
Instead, the startup could benefit from anticipating future trends and envisioning what the next wave of social interaction might look like. By analyzing technological advancements, societal changes, and broader cultural shifts, they might uncover opportunities for innovation that go beyond current expectations. This could lead them to create unique features or entirely new forms of engagement that set their platform apart from existing ones.
For example, they might explore integrating augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR) to create immersive social experiences, even if these technologies are not yet mainstream. By being ahead of the curve, they would not only meet emerging demands but also shape new standards in social media.
In essence, the quote encourages forward-thinking and innovation. It suggests that merely responding to present customer requests might lead to missed opportunities. By envisioning future possibilities and acting on them, businesses can create products and services that not only satisfy current needs but also anticipate and drive future desires.
Applying the quote to your life
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Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
