One of my favorite quotes about business (one that you’ll also occasionally see on the right hand side of the screen) is Drucker’s insight on the essence of business:
“Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two—and only two—basic functions: marketing and innovation.”
Venkatesh Rao has a wonderful post up on his blog where he explores that thought a bit further, and one of his conclusions is: “That’s because a customer isn’t a human being. […] A customer is a novel and stable pattern of human behavior.” Which seems a bit ‘cold’ on the one hand, but equally practical and true from the business perspective. Rather honest, I would say.
Let me give you one more quote in hopes that will be enticed to read the entire article for yourself, because it’s one of the more interesting things I’ve read on the subject in a while.
On similarities between marketing and innovation:
“Both functions lay claim to the DNA of the organization. Marketing owns the overt form, the brand, that integrates the self-image and story of the company, while innovation owns the individuation behind the brand, within the society of corporations.”
Really, really thoughtful piece. Go read.
Rik is one of the founders of Klatergoud.
He's the marketing director of Intivation, a technology company that develops solar powered consumer devices, and a graduate of Delft University of Technology with degrees in Applied Physics and Strategic Product Design.
He writes about entrepreneurship, design thinking, business models, innovation and marketing.
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