Steve Jobs once famously responded to a question about how much market research Apple did to guide Apple’s product successes by saying, “None.”
His belief was it is never the consumers’ job to know what they want, and this true innovation comes from within, never from seeking validation from others. While market research may be valuable for some businesses, there is merit in understanding being truly unique and authentic requires going beyond the opinions and expectations of the general public.
Instead of solely focusing on filling a market gap, fostering innovation and allowing the market to respond to your unique offerings is important. Relying on others’ opinions alone may hinder the development of groundbreaking products or services.
Confidence in your vision, supported by a strong and structured business plan, is key to manifesting success.
Rather than actively attracting customers, a more effective approach is creating an ideal customer profile, or avatar, which aligns with your business’s product or service’s unique value proposition. By being authentic, different, and offering something distinct, you naturally attract an audience that resonates with your brand. This may result in a more specialized and dedicated following, rather than trying to cater to the masses.
While this perspective may differ from traditional marketing approaches, it highlights the importance of tapping into your own creativity and vision to drive innovation and differentiation. By staying true to your business’s authentic self and offering something genuinely unique, you have the potential to create a truly remarkable and successful business without a drop in market research.
