Comments on: It’s About Their Agenda, Not Mine

By: Chris Brown

Chris Brown — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 10:47:52 +0000

Lewis:
Being able to walk away from your prepared presentation and deliver the next generation (the how instead of whyt is extremely powerful. To be able to pull that off seemlessly and provide useful content on the fly is the mark of an accomplished speaker/presenter. My hat’s off to you.
Chris

By: Gayashani

Gayashani — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:21:46 +0000

Yes,it`s very important.Exactly
Thanks for reminding us that while we may think we know what our customers need better than they do, it’s important to stop and really listen to what they’re saying.
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Gayashani
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By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:21:35 +0000

Claire,
It is really hard as a consultant to let go of what we might think is best for our clients, and instead listen to their wants and needs. Sometimes, after we have listened, some of what we thought was best remains on the tool or strategy lists; sometimes not so much.

By: Claire Ratushny

Claire Ratushny — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:16:52 +0000

Lewis,
Your statement: “Of course, the lesson learned is that as consultants it is never about our agenda; it is always about their agenda”, is a very important one. We all need to remember that what we do as marketers, is all about our clients’ agendas; not our own. Thanks for reminding us that while we may think we know what our customers need better than they do, it’s important to stop and really listen to what they’re saying. Then we need to have the courage to switch gears as you did in your presentation, to give them what they truly need and want. Sometimes that means overcoming our deeply held convictions and prejudices, doesn’t it?
I’m with Paul. Kudos to you for listening and really hearing what conference attendees were asking for, and delivering it with grace.

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:40:52 +0000

Thanks Paul. Yes, I would not be so pleased if the audience kept their unhappiness with my presentation to themselves and 10,000 of their closest Twitter friends. That was cowardly and rude.

By: Paul Barsch

Paul Barsch — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:22:18 +0000

Lewis, at least your audience treated you with the due respect you deserve instead of what happened in Michael Rubin’s “SXSW: Rude is Rude, Enough is Enough.”.
Sometimes our companies –like these conference organizers– “think they know” what their attendees (customers) want to hear. It’s great you were bold enough to change your presentation on the fly.