Customers Aren’t Just for Sales People

Welcome to the latest edition of the World’s Top STEM Leaders LinkedIn Newsletter for those leading what’s next within organizations. 

A customer-centric culture is more than just a buzzword; it’s a way of doing business. It's a way of realizing value by enhancing someone’s life through the product or service you provide.

The sales groups are on the front lines with the customer. Really exceptional sales teams know their customers’ needs inside and out. They even anticipate future needs.

A customer-centric focus is a secret key to unlocking the next level of #influence for all parts of the organization. This is especially true for the STEM parts of the organization, those teams of deep experts in IT, Research, Engineering, Finance, and Science.

It’s also especially true for your internal customers.

Colleagues who work together in teams and in collaboration for common goals are also customers of each other.

STEM experts are almost always involved in two very significant aspects of business today – #innovation and #transformation. 

By nature of their expertise, they are hired and rewarded for delivering and maintaining that expertise. They are expected to understand what’s coming, what’s new, and how their organization should adapt to a changing environment.

As the business landscape evolves and becomes more competitive, innovation has become a key driver of success. Transformational change is another critical element of growth and success today.

By prioritizing the needs and wants of your customers, the solutions you create will resonate and the big jumps in transformation delight their expectations.

Here are three reasons why adopting a customer-centric approach is critical for success:

1.    Makes you a better leader of change. 

Staying up to speed with the needs of your customers increases your adaptability. As customer needs rapidly change and evolve, anticipating the next move better positions you for success. The flexibility to adapt to surprises and rapid shifts helps you stand on solid footing during times of change.

2.    Aligns with your customer’s purpose.

Knowing how your product or service aligns with your customer's core beliefs is becoming more critical and even replacing traditional metrics. Recognizing and developing a shared purpose is what a community is built on. Developing a community increases value, employee satisfaction, and purchase behavior.

3.    Increases the chance of successful transformations. 

Transformations, organizational change, and innovations are hard. When in the thick of it, it’s easy to get distracted by all the details, timelines, and pressures. By addressing real needs that connect with purpose, you can pave the way through the process and emerge with a stronger more connected community.

To wrap up, by placing customers at the center of your innovation and transformation efforts you align with their needs and values. A #customercentric culture is a secret key to unlocking the next level of influence for all parts of your organization.

I’d love to hear your questions about the challenges with a customer-centric approach for those in STEM.

Thanks for reading and subscribing!

I’m Charlotte

I take teams from frustrated and stuck to communicating seamlessly across boundaries, influencing for success with unique ideas, and confidently leading change with ease.

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