Shooting customers is a bad path to revenues.

As PM you are paid to get the job done, to create a product valued by customers. Even though it might benefit them, your customers aren’t paid to help you get it right. Blaming them when you don’t get the info you need is lazy. You keep at it, try alternative approaches, and get to where you need to be.

Scott is right that in the scenario above those cards and the handshakes that preceded their exchange are golden. They’re a great start to a relationship that will provide some of the feedback and input you’re looking for.

Also, if you’re really trying to break into a new market segment you should be hitting the pavement to search out interactions with ‘non-customers’ rather than skulking home after one disaster with an existing customer and blaming a bad release on those around you.

First of all, did they really, actually say, “Let’s stop wasting time?” If so, how ever did you manage keep your head from popping off your body?

The Six Types of Customers, anyone?