I spend a lot of time thinking about new companies finding, nurturing and winning over their first lot of customers and I’ve realised that there are a lot of similarities with forming habits. Here are five…
- Patience.
It takes time. It doesn’t happen instantly. Some things do, like a click or a visit or reading a tagline, but real engagement and commitment takes time. Same with habits. For them to become a part of your life, and not just something you occasionally, intentionally do, allow plenty of time. You can’t ‘cram’ customer development.
- Repetition.
Linked to above, but importantly different. It’s not a smooth, linear experience. Ever. The customer will always have to do a few things over and over again before they form the habit. Before it becomes normal.
- Unprogram.
It is rare that something valuable isn’t already being fulfilled some other way. Even if it’s just a use of time, it’s still a substitute. But that’s good. It’s much, much easier (though still hard) to get a customer to switch to you, than it is to get them to adopt a new thing for new value. However, the reality is that you have to get them to unlearn the old solution/habit and learn yours. That’s not easy. People call it the “switching cost”, but it’s not a once off transaction. Inertia is against you.
- Distractions.
Habit forming doesn’t happen in a vacuum. 1,000 other things are happening at the same time. You have to be aware of the realities and work with them. Customer development is the same. It’s not a lab where you control the elements. Everyone is busy. And unless you are food, water or sex, it’s unlikely you’re going to command immediate and significant investment.
- Variance.
“You’re unique, just like everyone else.” It’s true. Every single situation is different and herein lies the focus challenge. You need to focus on a small segment and a simple value creation point, but you need to allow room in there for the person’s own life, needs and timing to ferment into a commitment. Habits are the same. That’s why time management tools have to be rigidly rubbery.
I’m sure readers will have a few more.
Mick Liubinskas [1] is one of Australia’s leading web strategists, having served in head marketing roles at Kazaa, Zapr and Tangler. He now runs Pollenizer [2], the business incubator he co-founded with former-Kazaa colleague Phil Morle.