Skip to content

About Quote by Clayton Christensen

“We all have jobs in our lives that we must get done. We reach out and bring products into our lives to get these jobs done. Marketing is all about asking, 'What job is the customer trying to accomplish?'” quote by Clayton Christensen
Download Open image
“We all have jobs in our lives that we must get done. We reach out and bring products into our lives to get these jobs done. Marketing is all about asking, 'What job is the customer trying to accomplish?'”

Clayton Christensen

About This Quote

Source Book: The Innovator’s Solution, 2003

Marketing should focus on understanding the underlying tasks customers aim to accomplish, not just the product itself.

In simple terms: Identify customers’ real jobs.

Key Takeaway

Design solutions that fit those jobs.

Themes

customer focus innovation problem solving

Mood

analytical strategic

Type

business educational

When to use this quote

  • product development
  • service design
  • customer research
  • strategic planning

Key Concepts

jobs‑to‑be‑done theory value creation

Questions to Reflect On

  • What hidden jobs might your customers have?
  • How can you validate the true job before designing?
A Different Perspective

Over‑emphasis on jobs can overlook emotional or social factors influencing decisions.

3.1 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Clayton Christensen

Explore all 166 Clayton Christensen quotes

More About quotes

Browse all 26,122 About quotes