You've GOT to be kidding!

Why do we listen? Because diversity of opinion, splintering markets and consumer empowerment are the reality in today's competitive market place. That’s why listening solutions are finding their way into the tool kits of successful marketers. Long gone are the days when marketers could force feed their desired agendas onto consumers, and still be successful.

The truth is that this strategy of listening needs to come from the top...and this reality pervades internally and externally in only the most progressive companies. Successful companies employ this strategy not only to the voice of customers but to the internal voices in and around their organizations as well.

On that note...a story from the field:

Yesterday I made a presentation to a prospect. Let me assure you that there was no hidden camera in the room and I was not the unknowing participant on a candid camera type show (although I was certain at the time I was). I’m afraid this story is true.

The client I was presenting to caught a glimpse of the above picture on my desktop as I loaded my Power Point Presentation. This is my son, of whom I am naturally very proud, and this picture puts a smile on my face every time I look at it. Needless to say, the client didn’t appreciate it at all. In fact, she was offended that I did not have a company logo on the desktop, or even a blank desktop, but rather that I would assume the right to personalize my workspace and impose on people elements of my personal life.

“What makes you think people want to see an image of your kid?” She asked me.
I was shocked.

Her single comment was not enough. She went on to tell me that she felt it was unprofessional for someone in business development to push his personal life on people in this manner.

“I would never let my salespeople run around with pictures of last weeks Beer Party on their desktop”. She went on to say.

My question is this: How did she know that just below the crop line of the above picture – my 22 month old son is holding a beer?

No surprise, this prospect was not interested in listening to her customers...like I said…it comes from the top.

What’s on your desktop?