Product or People: Which One is Priority?

Marketers, take note: I know it's my soapbox…PEOPLE FIRST…but it's the emerging and powerful comment theme and thread across all of the little surveys I have asked my readers to participate in so far, and I will continue to report.

Read the comments. They are fascinating. Some still believe it's all in tech and data, and the rest of us are old-fashioned and out-of-touch. I will say those betting it all on tech are in the overwhelming minority.?

KNEE JERK ALERT…technology and data are evolving catalysts to human progression, they always have been and always will be. I imagine that the innovation of the wheel was as impactful as Facebook? N’est Pas?

Back to the survey…again, not statically valid for anything, merely indicative of my reader’s view and, in my view, providing insight for further discussion and debate.

For the survey in question today, I was curious about company growth. Given a choice between Marketing, an Innovative? Product, or anything else you thought was key, I asked you where you would double down…where you would invest.?

As I mentioned above, “People” continue not to just be an “other” appearing in the comments, but rather the basic foundation for all growth. I love that. No matter what people voted for, many added people as the non-negotiable critical factor for success in anything. Without the right people, nothing can be accomplished.?

Interestingly, putting more money into “Innovative Products” far outstripped “Marketing” as the source and engine for growth.?

Here is my view based on the comments (yes, I read and answer all…so if you haven’t yet commented on a post, please do…it's how I learn):

1. Nothing kills a bad product quicker than good marketing and brilliant advertising. History is littered with the detritus of products like Google Glass; The Newton; New Coke; Windows Vista; EZ-Squirt Ketchup; Edsel…look them up if you don’t know them…great stories and great learning. Share your own favorites in the comments!
2. I’m always bemused by the pundits who seem to think that marketing, as a discipline, isn’t relevant or has somehow changed so that there are no new lessons to be learned…sad…the means to communicate and the tools we use to create are constantly evolving…morphing…but the learning? The great Marketing Folk of past generations are smiling down on all the great marketers of today…not in confusion, but in satisfaction.
3. There was great discussion about products people don’t need or don’t know we need, ergo marketing is more important to create demand. A good argument, and clearly marketing is always critical. However, I always point out Apple. None of us knew we needed an iPhone. More…had they done standard marketing research, it never would have launched…and go back and look…in their pre-launch on the Academy Awards, all they did was highlight that it's a phone…CRAZY…yet they let you discover it's magic. BRILLIANT MARKETING.

Bottom line: We always need great marketing, but we need to start with brilliant products and services. And yes, of course, PEOPLE FIRST!!!