"If I'd have asked my customers what they wanted, they would have told me 'A faster horse.'"
-Steve Jobs quoting Henry Ford, on why asking customers what they want is not always the best way to do things. (Fortune)
Seriously, guys? Could there BE a more egotistical, self-centered quote?
My brother, Josh, mentioned this quote from Steve Jobs to me on the phone yesterday. I can't tell you how wrong I think it is!
What these arrogant men are trying to say is that they are much smarter and more forward-thinking than the masses. Okay. Maybe they are more forward-thinking and have more base knowledge than the general population. BUT ... you have to listen to what people really need. They said they wanted "faster horses" but all that really means is that they have a need to go faster!
To quote my friend, Ben Freeman ... It ain't hard.
Having people imagine what could be helps them really figure out what they need. If you are in a position to create a solution, it is your responsibility to your consumer to listen to what they honestly need and use your knowledge and expertise to help them with the best way to solve for that need!
If you are an expert chef and your patron comes in and tells you what flavors they like, you'd better not write them off and do what you want just because they're not a chef. Take in to account what their palate loves and surprise them with your creativity around it. You're much more likely to delight them.
Oyvey.
Suck it, Steve Jobs.
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