Marketing is an essential part of any business, but when companies focus too heavily on their product features and benefits, they can fall into the trap of marketing myopia. Marketing myopia refers to a narrow-minded focus on a specific product or service, rather than on the broader customer needs and wants that the product or service is intended to fulfill. This can lead to missed opportunities and decreased competitiveness.
🅐 Losing sight of customer needs: When companies become too focused on their product, they may overlook changing customer needs and preferences. For example, Kodak was so focused on its film products that it failed to recognize the shift to digital photography, ultimately leading to the company's bankruptcy.
🅑 Missing out on innovation: Companies that are too product-focused may miss out on opportunities to innovate or create new products and services that better meet customer needs. Blockbuster, for example, was so focused on its brick-and-mortar video rental business that it failed to keep up with the rise of streaming services like Netflix.
🅒 Failure to adapt: A product-focused approach can make it difficult for companies to adapt to changing market conditions. Sears in the United States, for example, was so focused on its department store business model that it failed to adapt to the rise of online shopping, ultimately leading to bankruptcy.
Opportunities Lost:
When companies fall into the trap of marketing myopia, they miss out on opportunities to innovate, expand their customer base, or create new products and services that better meet customer needs. By taking a broader customer-centric approach, companies can stay competitive and ensure they’re meeting the evolving needs of their customers.
Marketing myopia can be a risky business for companies that are too focused on their product or service. By broadening your focus to include the overall customer experience and value proposition, companies can better understand and meet customer needs, innovate and adapt to changing market conditions, and ultimately stay competitive in the long run.