As business owners, we have a tendency to think we have the answers.

We think we know what people want. We go about our businesses every day, under some assumptions that may or may not be right.

What if, instead of you thinking you have to have all the answers, instead of you thinking you have to be the creative genius, instead of you thinking you always have to be the one to come up with the next big thing, what if you put your ego aside and gave some thought to the possibility that your clients want something different than you’ve been giving them. Maybe your business isn’t as successful as it could be because you’re trying to make decisions for people instead of asking them what they want.

What if you went out and involved your clients a little bit more? What if you asked them what they want at the end of emails or in a formalized survey. A survey doesn’t have to be this long. It might be just one question.

Maybe you ask something like “What are the two biggest challenges you have in your business that I can help you with?, or What are the two biggest areas in your business you’d like to see changes in?, or what are the two things you would like me to help you with?”

You might want to know what kinds of things they would like from you? What challenges your clients have?

See, when you ask questions and you can engage people; other business owners, your clients, whoever it is. It’s a pet owner, a preacher, a carpet cleaner, an insurance or financial services advisor, or another business owner.

Don’t be so arrogant as to think you know what they want and what they need (because you’re a business owner too).

It’s not about giving them what they need. It is about giving them what they need… but you have to give them what they want first. This can revolutionize and totally change your business. If you go out to your clients and your prospects, and ask them questions, start listening, and give them what they ask for, it will change your business. It might turn your business into something you don’t even recognize right now.

We’re here to help other people, and the best way to help other people is to find out what they want, and give that to them.

If you’re a business owner, you’re probably talking to other business owners. If you’re an attorney, you’re talking to other attorneys. If you’re a dog groomer, you’re talking to other pet lovers. We have a tendency to do business with people who are like us, so we think we know what they want.

Start asking questions. And see what kind of response you get. See if it changes the products and services you begin to offer.