OK, now that's out of the way, I feel a lot better. After all, admitting you have an allegiance (read = problem) is the first step to recovery, right?
I love starting my day with a venti Pike Place from Starbucks, and if I don't, you may not want to be in that early morning meeting with me. I find myself feeling almost guilty, if I have to settle for the coffee at work, or heaven-forbid some "Convenience Store" coffee. I have been known to hug "my" barista outside of the coffee-shop and book my hotels on the road based on proximity to my favorite caffeine dealer.
Some way, somehow, I have become loyal to a company, a brand. But to me, they aren't just a company, a brand, or even a cup that tells me I need to get shopping done - they are a purveyor of energy, a kick-off to a day filled with promise, and even an agent of change that offers a pick-me-up after a string of meetings that didn't go as planned. My loyalty was not earned simply because I enjoy paying a lot for coffee, but because of the experience that comes with that coffee.
Anyone who has ever built, supported, sold, or had any connection to a company that sells products would love to have a product or solution that has an addictive quality to it - wouldn't we? It means we are doing something right, building something that provides so much value, enjoyment, and benefit that the user becomes loyal. To us, loyalty is the ultimate validation that our products are bringing a meaningful return of value to those who use, buy, or consume it.
Loyalty starts with the "Why"… Why are you in business; Why did you build a product or add a certain feature; Why did you choose one priority over the other; or most importantly, Why do businesses use need your products or services? The Why isn’t a feature or a checkbox, an item that has a specific ROI (although that helps), or even "something my boss said I have to do." The best examples of products that get the "Why" and breed loyalty are those make the lives or jobs of those who use it better and help them achieve their goals – whatever their definition. The "Why" becomes bigger than a release, a version, or even a company - people are loyal to the "Why."
If a 3-step guide to creating the "Why" existed and was easy to replicate, then everyone would be doing it. For example, for every Starbucks, Apple, Google, or Facebook there are hundreds of products and companies that have come and gone. If you are like me and help build, sell, or position the products you or your company delivers to the market - don't settle for anything less than Why. Strive to find the "Why." Make the "Why" a reality, and have fun selling the "Why". I mean, what is more fun: 1) Selling coffee to groggy strangers every morning, or 2) Selling great beginnings and energetic starts to friends and family? It's not even close.
To build that loyalty, we have to start with the "Why" - and for us, we want to help Media Sales Professionals sell more. We want to help create "Selling Machines" that are Faster, Smarter, and more Efficient. Every feature we build, every service we provide, every investment we make is done with "Why" in mind. The media ad sales world is evolving and changing daily and many of our partners are advancing ahead of the curve. Our "Why" starts with helping them evolve faster, smarter, and more efficiently - and ultimately thrive in this competitive world.
If I had a tool that made me Faster, Smarter, and more Efficient, I would be pretty loyal to it - wouldn't you?
Now, let's talk about my Apple problem :)
Please check out my blog for more wildly informative insights around Product Management, Media Sales and CRM Tools, minimally humorous jokes, and more from myself and others from our team at Matrix.
My blog can be found here: Matrix Boiling Point. For more information about Matrix and how we can make your sales team Faster, Smarter, and More Efficient with our leading Media Sales Intelligence and CRM Tools, please check out our website at www.matrixformedia.com.