Change

How could thinking about change inform future product development efforts?

“Change is the only constant in life.” - Heraclitus

“Focus on the things that don't change in your business.” - Jeff Bezos

Heraclitus and Jeff Bezos seem to have different perspectives on change, but they are not necessarily contradictory.

Heraclitus reminds us that change is inevitable and constant in life and that we should embrace it rather than resist it. He also suggests that change is the source of harmony and creativity, as opposites are joined together in a dynamic process. This means that we should be open to new possibilities, challenges, and feedback, and not be afraid to experiment and learn from our failures. We should also be aware of our customers' changing needs and preferences, and adapt our products and services accordingly.

Jeff Bezos advises us to focus on the things that don’t change in our business, which are the core values and principles that guide our decisions and actions. He also emphasizes the importance of being customer-centric and delivering value and satisfaction to our customers. This means we should always prioritize the customer’s needs and wants, and strive to exceed their expectations. We should also identify the fundamental and enduring aspects of our products and services, and invest our energy and resources in improving them.

By combining these two ideas, we can develop a product strategy that is both innovative and consistent, balancing the need for change and stability. We can use change as an opportunity to create new value and differentiation, and to explore new markets and segments. We can also use stability as a way to maintain our reputation and trust, and to optimize our operations and processes. We can align our product development efforts with our customers’ desires and our company’s vision, and create products and services that are both relevant and reliable.