Recently, I tuned in to a business podcast where the guest stressed the importance of creating products or services that people want rather than what they need. At the time, I was in the process of launching my own business and this advice raised some concerns since I was particularly focused on fulfilling people's needs.
Now, several months later, I have come to realize the accuracy of this advice as I encounter situations that highlight how individuals can be resistant to using products that they actually require. A recent encounter with an acquaintance, Sheryl*, exemplified this point. Despite her decreased physical abilities and my suggestion that I could give her a walking stick to try, she adamantly refused to use one, opting instead for an emergency call button as a safety measure in case of a fall.
Similarly, my friend Sam* whom I had not seen in some time, shared how he had suffered a shoulder injury from a stumble at home and had been living with his daughter in Whangarei as her recuperated. When asked if a walking stick may of prevented the fall he dismissed the idea entirely due to the inconvenience it posed.
This reluctance to use walking aids made me reflect on a societal preference for youth and a tendency to avoid acknowledging imperfections, a sentiment echoed in discussions about Joe Biden's age.
This aversion to using walking aids may also be influenced by a healthcare system that focuses more on treating issues after they occur rather than preventing them. These observations have left me feeling uncertain about the prospects of my business. I'm offering a product that it would appear people need but do not necessarily want.
*Not their real names
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