@aaroncbailey Hate to be that guy but Ford probably never said that. I’m kidding. I love to be that guy.

@Coeluh A guy named Henry Ford must’ve said it at some point 😏😏😏

@aaroncbailey The point of Henry’s comment is that people can’t want what they haven’t seen. There is a tiny category of founders/people who can see. The lonely part is learning to paint the vision so that people can see it. The customer is always right is axiomatic. They buy or they don’t.

@aaroncbailey Whoever told you the customer is even mostly right, is wrong... customers have no idea what they want!

@aaroncbailey You’re right lol. I think the best approach for any startup is to be somewhere in the middle. Startups need to speak to their customers to get insight on what to build, and also have the innovation to create things that the customer might not have asked for but would love.

@aaroncbailey Customers define the problem, not the solution

@aaroncbailey Best founders identify the balance between two. You start with first, then move forward with second.

@aaroncbailey The sacred balance.

@aaroncbailey cc @zed_run

@aaroncbailey Interesting point, I still don’t know the dynamic equilibrium between them

@aaroncbailey This can be extremely frustrating right? Especially before Product-Market fit when you are still figuring out which customers to listen to.

@aaroncbailey Isn't it a harmonious marriage, not a battle? So they are both different and both right and both agree to go along with each other's foibles?

@aaroncbailey Ask people only to understand their problems. Then use your founder secret sauce to come up with something spectacular that solves the problem in ways the customers would never have thought of

@aaroncbailey A customer isn't there to determine your product. Talking to them is about verifying if there is a problem Learning current solutions to the problem Who are the people that have this problem- their roles, relationships, responsibilities, rituals, JTBD, language, and communities

@aaroncbailey Both are correct. Both need you to think at a higher logical level to arrive at the same conclusion of what problems you’re solving. When they are the same you’re on to a good thing.

@aaroncbailey I think you should learn about the problems from the customer but not take their solutions. If they knew a better way to solve it they wouldn't need you.

@aaroncbailey @teddyferrin Here’s my take — full article in medium :) Customers are essential, irreplaceable at making your existing product better But you are DOA if you rely on them to innovate. More here:

@aaroncbailey The challenge is, to find a balance between market demand and own vision.

@aaroncbailey Building what customers would love to pay for should always be the aspiration. Don't build without the customers knowing that you are building something for them. Prioritizing quick-wins for the customer should be the focus. Get the needs fulfilled, the wants can then be built.