Predictions for 2011

By Anthony Garcia - Dec 29 , 2010

Now is the time of year when we all pontificate about what we think is going to happen in the next 12 months.  Sometimes we are right, sometimes we are woefully wrong, and other times we are blindsided by things we never saw coming.  Somethings are impossible to see, others are as ordinary as the morning bowl of Wheaties.

Last night, Michael Drew and I were having one of our frequent and ongoing discussions about the future of marketing, and it triggered a ponderfest in my little twisted mind.  I wondered what I could share here with you about the future of your marketing efforts.

So here are some things I am absolutely sure will happen in 2011:

In 2011, people will want and need to buy things – We always want to buy; we never want to be sold.

In 2011, people will want and need to sell things – We can always count on finding someone standing in the checkout aisle with their hand out, ready, willing, and able to exchange their goods or services for your dollars.

In 2011, people will fail to meet the wants and needs of their customers – Some of us will, at one time or more, walk away without buying what you needed or buy something we thought would meet our needs and it doesn’t.  You will be frustrated, disappointed, and longing for a better buying experience.   At the same time, a well-meaning seller will be scratching her head wondering why more people aren’t buying.  She will be wondering why those who are buying don’t seem unsatisfied.

In 2011, people will succeed in meeting the wants and needs of their customers – You will buy something in 2011 that will delight beyond what you imagined.  Some of you will sell something that will delight your customers beyond what you imagined.

If you have a cause or service or product that you will be selling in 2011, I can’t guess with 100% accuracy which side of the fence you will be on.

But I can predict this:  The more effort you place in understanding the needs of your customer, the better shot you have of selling them and reselling them.

It is rarely a lack of good intent that keeps sellers from being successful; it is lack of a real process for determining and meeting the needs of those to whom you wish to sell.

I know of a process that was designed for that purpose.

If you want to take over the world and you are not committed to the customers’ needs, you really only have one alternative.

Good luck with whatever path you chart.  I can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us.