I got a new laptop. While I was preparing to transfer files from the old laptop, I figured now was a good time to purge. I went through all the document files one by one, deleted all the duplicates, consolidated all the pictures, and opened up files I haven’t seen in over 10 years.
One of them was a staff meeting idea. The concept was to flash certain words on a screen and have everyone write down their own definition of the word. Some of the words would be applicable to our situation like “service”. Others could be words that have dual meanings to begin with like “experience” (noun or verb?). The point of the exercise was two-fold. First, we would see how different people interpret words differently. Second, I would see how the members of my team interpret important words like service.
We all come from different backgrounds with different life experiences, so we see and interpret things in our own unique way.
Never was that more apparent than at Toy Fair last week.
My retail customers came in looking at our brand new offerings. For everything I showed I had some retailers who loved it, some who hated it, and some who just said, “Meh.” Not everyone who loved it, loved it for the same reasons. Nor did those who hated it, hate it for the same reasons. In fact, I had one retailer give me a reason for loving an item and another gave me the exact same reason for hating an item.
Just because the first customer who sees your new offerings hates them doesn’t mean they are bad.
Just because the first customer who sees your new offerings loves them doesn’t mean they will do well.
I missed one of the biggest fads of the last two decades in the toy industry. It was Webkins. I loved the toy. Loved it so much that when it was first introduced, I bought the display and the TV monitor to show the video of how it worked. Got it in August. By December 1st I had only sold 2 of 144 pieces. That night I clearanced them all at 50% off.
Do you know when the craze hit? December 2nd. The first customer of the day walked in and asked, “Do you have any Webkins?”
She bought six. By the end of day on December 4th we were sold out. I never reordered and never looked back.
Some of the negative feedback we got in the booth was really good. It was constructive criticism of things we can (and will) change. Some of the positive feedback was location-specific to the person and store giving us the feedback. Knowing the difference and knowing how to decipher the feedback you get goes a long way.
“You are not a hundred dollar bill. Not everyone is going to like you.” -Meg Cabot
We all see the world differently. When you look through the other person’s eyes, however, you see things in a whole new light.
-Phil Wrzesinski
www.PhilsForum.com
PS Normally I like to give you something concrete to do in these posts—an action step or two. This post does not. But it does set up the next couple posts where I’ll try to show you what happens when you look through someone else’s eyes. It will transform your marketing & advertising, your customer service, your staff training, and even your merchandising. Stay tuned.