Comments on: You can’t focus on fog http://productvision.org/blog/focus-on-fog/ Articles about Product Vision and Strategy by D. Philip Haine Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:44:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Philip Haine http://productvision.org/blog/focus-on-fog/comment-page-1/#comment-5413 Philip Haine Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:40:20 +0000 http://productvision.org/blog/?p=494#comment-5413 Steve, I think you are right that she is trying to focus everyone on the users again, and not on petty in-fighting. Still, that's a pretty low bar. And what here is labeled a "mission" is way too vague to actually be of much use in guiding direction. ALL products have to fit into their customers' lives. And they should ALL work, and be great, and be dependable and trustworthy. Now... what are we supposed to build again? And where are we going strategically? Steve, I think you are right that she is trying to focus everyone on the users again, and not on petty in-fighting. Still, that’s a pretty low bar.

And what here is labeled a “mission” is way too vague to actually be of much use in guiding direction. ALL products have to fit into their customers’ lives. And they should ALL work, and be great, and be dependable and trustworthy.

Now… what are we supposed to build again? And where are we going strategically?

]]> By: Steve Portigal http://productvision.org/blog/focus-on-fog/comment-page-1/#comment-5412 Steve Portigal Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:18:38 +0000 http://productvision.org/blog/?p=494#comment-5412 Hmm - I think this is a remarkable statement, since most companies focus on things like: Our Mission Is To Create A Great Search Outcome (no offense to the actual firm that I adapted this from) and sometimes, SOMETIMES, that leads itself to a inward-looking focus, and a ridiculous set of lingo around "the consumer" in a way that doesn't map to any real person. (ahem). By characterizing customers as real people that just want to get through their day (a bit bleak, but still), there's a sense there of hey, our stuff has to fit into THEIR lives. Their lives aren't about our internal workings or money or brands, it's about their lives. That's a huge cultural leap for any Silicon Valley company, IMHO. Hmm – I think this is a remarkable statement, since most companies focus on things like: Our Mission Is To Create A Great Search Outcome (no offense to the actual firm that I adapted this from) and sometimes, SOMETIMES, that leads itself to a inward-looking focus, and a ridiculous set of lingo around “the consumer” in a way that doesn’t map to any real person. (ahem). By characterizing customers as real people that just want to get through their day (a bit bleak, but still), there’s a sense there of hey, our stuff has to fit into THEIR lives. Their lives aren’t about our internal workings or money or brands, it’s about their lives. That’s a huge cultural leap for any Silicon Valley company, IMHO.

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