In the newest issue of Booz & Co’s “Strategy + Business,” A.G. Lafley describes the innovation culture at his company, Procter & Gamble.
Hearing insights from Lafley and P&G about innovation is becoming a cliche, but this quote struck me as apt:
So we expanded our mission to include the idea that “the consumer is boss.” In other words, the people who buy and use P&G products are valued not just for their money, but as a rich source of information and direction. If we can develop better ways of learning from them — by listening to them, observing them in their daily lives, and even living with them — then our mission is more likely to succeed.
This what I’m thinking about much of the time now. How to help companies listen to, and learn from, “the bosses.”


