OK, hang on a second before you decide to pass on reading this!
Yeah, I know I get my paycheck because of MERA and you just might think this is going to be just a push to join, attend the show and all that. But, the real deal here is a much deeper conversation we need to have about the Industry, the Country and the overall need to return to some simpler times in regards to how we treat one another.
We as a society have moved into the realm of "What's in it for me?" or even worse, "What are you going to give me?" When it comes to offering products and services to customers I've even noticed an odd trend of "If you don't like it tough!"
Now, these all only seem rude and possibly isolated comments and attitudes, but if you step back and take a look at the larger picture you'll notice a trend that has disrupted the entire give and take that makes the world go round. Instead of looking out for one another we've almost turned into a society of grab stuff and horde, to make sure we always have more...
When a customer walks into a store they music, video or some sort of convenience added to their vehicle. They think they want this product or that product, but honestly most haven't a clue of how to get to what they want. They literally have moved to give me everything I can buy for as little as possible and give me a list so I can so price match it everywhere.
The salesperson wants to sell the most stuff for the most profit and the least amount of thinking when it comes to how to install or even set up the system.
The installer wants to install the least amount of stuff, for the most amount of money and doesn't want something that can be altered much or "played with" by the customer.
Take those three, apply "What's in it for me?" and you get......Less Sales of ME products.
Something Has To Change
If you boil customers down to the lowest common denominator you'll find 2 types of customers.
Type 1 - Those who want to "play" with their stuff. These are the ones that jailbreak smart phones, have a better idea of what their "sound curve" should look like and are the bane of every installers existence. If/When they have an issue they will try to solve it themselves, typically make it worse and then what a helpful immediate solution without anyone making them feel stupid for trying to "fix it" i the first place.
Type 2 - Those who simply want things to work. These are the ones that simply want to pay money and then just have their stuff work without issue. If/When they have an issue they want a quick solution to their issue that is handled immediately.
The bad news is that these people are not going to change. They are the same customers for everyone and are so firmly engrained that regardless of what we do as an Industry, we cannot change them. Thus, we as an Industry must adapt our approach to deal products and services to them.
The Good News?
We as an Industry have an association and communications that are devoted to helping everyone better serve these two types of customers.
MERA and Mobile Electronics Magazine are yours to use to communicate, discuss topics and network with one another in a way that helps everyone move to deliver more products and services to consumers. But, they only work if YOU get involved. So, when you ask "What's in it for me?" the answer is EVERYTHING, but only if you are involved.
And guess what? It doesn't matter what type of customer you are (yes, even retailers are consumers when it comes to MERA and ME Mag,) both types can use MERA and ME Mag to benefit themselves with exactly the type of support needed.
You want better business and easier business, yes?
Som the real question is, "What are you waiting for?"
(And YES, you should reply, make a comment and become part of the solution!)