Solving problems – selling services, not products

When selling, remember that you’re selling a solution to someone’s problems. Your solution will change over time, depending on who you’re serving and what new changes or improvements are made available. You should always be open to changing the physical product that you are currently selling or else be at risk of becoming a dinosaur and going extinct.

For example, Kodak had the ability to create digital photos back in the 1970s, but they did nothing with it. They thought that their product was physical photographs. But, in reality, their product was creating a way for people to store and share their memories. Whether that was with a printed photo or digital photo didn’t matter. But because they were so tied to their ways, Kodak went from being the dominant force in capturing memories to declaring bankruptcy in 2012.

Your solution should not be about a specific product. It’s about the service. Eventually someone will have a better product or a newer product. Eventually they may even sell that product at a lower price. It is up to you to provide the service that solves their problem. Sell service, not products.