Clarity Strategic^TM

This article is contributed by Naomi Tapia, with all our gratitude.

If you you are a small business owner or considering starting a business, the most important thing to do is take a good look at your product.  Would you buy it?  If so, why?  If you wouldn't, why not?  The answers to these questions will help you decide if you are selling a product or the "value" that the product provides.

Sure, selling an inferior product might help you make a few quick dollars, but it isn't the path to building a long-lasting, successful business.  If you determine that your product doesn't truly provide a good value, you don't necessarily need to trash your idea.  Use what you learn to make improvements.
Here are a few more things you might learn from examining your product from the customer's perspective:

• What makes your product or service beneficial or special?  This can help you prepare your marketing materials and make your sales presentations.
• Perhaps you will notice a way you can change the way your service is delivered to the customer (If you are the customer, what would be the most convenient or easiest way to receive the product?)
• You will be able to look at your product objectively and compare it to the products of competitors.  This way, you will know exactly where your business stands in relation to the competition.

Naomi Tapia is the Owner and Primary Content Contributor for SerialStartUps.com, a wonderful resource for small businesses and entrepreneurs.  To learn more about Ms. Tapia click here, and be sure to follow her on Twitter at @naomitapia, LinkedIn: naomibrons, and like Serial Startups on Facebook.