How well do you know your customers?

“To contain and limit the spread of the disease to other parts of the country, the National Security Council has sanctioned and caused the issuance of the following additional measures, as follows: That there shall be cessation of all movement by road, rail or air in and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan Area; and the counties of Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa. The cessation of movement within Nairobi Metropolitan Area shall be for an initial containment period of 21 days.”

The above statement from the president of Kenya halted transport operation in and out of Nairobi Metropolitan Area.

What impressed me was a Matatu driver who instead of parking his Matatu and complaining about restriction in movement, he resolved to use his Matatu to transport goods and more specifically, he was supplying goods to his customers who had been affected by the travel restriction. He therefore bridged a gap between his customer (buyer) and a supplier (seller).

The scenario above is a good case study illustrating the importance of knowing your customer. So how well do you know your customers?

1.   Do you know their immediate need during this season?

2.   Can you be the help they long for?

3.   Do you know their customers and suppliers?

4.   Can you connect them to their customers or suppliers?