A few years ago i worked for an HR tech #saas company that was born amid the 2008 financial downturn.
We offered a recruiting platform that helped employers sift through hundreds and thousands of resumes and job applicants.
As time progressed, the market improved.
There were fewer workers to fill the open roles available.
Customers no longer needed a tool to sort through a glut of applicants, but a marketing platform to help them attract the right candidates for their open positions.
I thought we were customer-centric.
The sad truth?
By the time the market shifted we had already lost the game.
Our competitors had released products focused on the new market need. While we were still debating amongst sales, customer success, and product the right direction - even though our customers were clearly telling us.
The lesson?
Listen to your customers.
Institutionally.
Plan your roadmap around them.
Evolve your product for them. Even if it’s out of line with your original strategy.
“We innovate by starting with the customer and working backwards. That becomes the touchstone for how we invent.”
- Jeff Bezos
