In this episode, we analyze Southwest Airlines’ recent policy shift from open seating to assigned seating, exploring how even the most successful companies can falter when they fail to adapt to changing customer needs. We translate this B2C lesson into actionable insights for B2B leaders, with three examples of how to avoid similar pitfalls in your own organization.

In this episode, you will:

• Understand the risks of relying on outdated differentiation strategies.
• Learn the importance of integrating customer perspectives into your SWOT analysis.
• Discover a simple yet powerful technique for better predicting customer needs.

Three quotes from the podcast:

1. “Even the best companies can miss shifts in customer needs, turning what was once a strength into a liability.”
2. “A customer-focused SWOT ensures your strategies are aligned with what the market actually values, not just what you think is important.”
3. “The Vietnam Card Sort may seem simple, but it’s incredibly effective because it helps customers articulate their true needs in a way that traditional methods often miss.”

We hope you’ll tune in to gain valuable insights into how you can stay ahead of market changes and ensure your strategies remain relevant in today’s dynamic business environment.