Business owners who are motivated solely by profit or a love for their product are likely to think, “I want to sell this and I need people to buy it,” rather than, “What does the customer want and how can I best solve their problem or fulfill their need?”

“The customer is always right” is a well-known mantra, because without customers you have no business, it is their needs that feed a business’s sales. Getting business from your existing customers is less costly and unpredictable than attracting new ones, so retaining customers is vital for survival.

One of the challenges facing all companies today, is the changing face of value. We all value speed and convenience in a way that was unheard of twenty years ago. The Web has taught us that instant gratification is possible, and we expect everything at the touch of a button in all facets of our lives.

Positioning, as the word implies, is about where you want your business to be. But positioning isn’t about geography: it’s about where you want to be in the heads and hearts of your customers.

This is the first in a new blog series about STRENGTHS. Two things need to happen to create a success formula.