How to balance customer focus with innovation

Innovative product development often appears to conflict with customer focus, as groundbreaking products like electric cars and touch screens were not directly requested by consumers. However, the article argues that true customer focus involves understanding the deeper needs and desires of customers, not merely fulfilling specific requests. It suggests a balanced approach through a weighted portfolio strategy, allocating resources across core propositions, differentiators, and crucial customer requests. This strategy allows for innovation while addressing immediate customer needs, preventing stagnation and ensuring long-term success. The article discusses how to implement this approach practically, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing innovation alongside fulfilling necessary customer demands to avoid falling behind market trends. Ultimately, innovation and customer focus are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary aspects of effective product management.