Wouldn’t business be a lot easier if we could simplify value down to just three things and then use those three things to guide how we think about and communicate what we do for our customers.
What if there really were only three ways we create value?
A simple triangle would become the framework for value thinking.
In a triangular reality, everything we do either fixes something right now, prevents something from turning into a future concern or improves/upgrades the situation.
The best product or service will likely do all three.
The first response I get when I put this simple model in front of people is that there must be more than three types of value.
But, to date, no one has been able to give me something of value that is not a fix, prevention or an improvement.
Of course, this is a simplistic view of value … but maybe, just maybe, value really is that simple!
When you go to a restaurant, did it improve your evening – it should!
When you take your car in for a service, will that prevent future problems – it should!
When you called the plumber, did they fix your water leak – they should!
What if we really do over-complicate value and over-complicate the sale?
If you can think of another type of value, I’d love to hear it.