Next Level Blog

FEBRUARY 1, 2022

Back in my own days as an executive, I was hugely influenced by a book called The Discipline of Market Leaders. The authors argued that companies had to pick between one of three paths to value creation and success in the market – operational excellence, customer intimacy or product leadership.

Company 246

Company Customer Intimacy Schein Long-term 246

Harvard Business Review

JUNE 17, 2015

How well do you know your customers? This seems to be a key question on the minds of not just marketers, but company strategists these days. This intensive customer focus has increased as technology-enabled transparency and online social media accelerate an inexorable flow of market power downstream from suppliers to customers.

Productivity 8

Productivity Products Customer Intimacy Software 8

Harvard Business Review

FEBRUARY 2, 2018

But who is likely to assume leadership in creating and capturing economic value in Type 3 products: Digital natives or industry incumbents? We don’t expect Amazon or Microsoft or IBM to design, make, and market agricultural tractors, aircraft engines, or MR scanners. Customer intimacy. Ford or Tesla?

Industry 8

Industry Software Six Sigma Engineering 8

Harvard Business Review

JULY 3, 2015

The idea of “co-creating” with customers has been circulating for years, but until recently few companies effectively exploited its power or understood its contribution to the bottom line. However, what these executives don’t fully appreciate is that the customer affinity spectrum extends far beyond promotion.

CRM 8

CRM Brand Business Model Intangible Assets 8