Customer Quote by Geoff Colvin
““if customer ignorance is a profit center for you, you’re in trouble.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Harvard Business Review Podcast, 2015
Treating customer ignorance as a revenue source shows short‑term thinking and harms long‑term trust.
In simple terms: Profiting from customers not knowing is risky.
Key Takeaway
Focus on educating customers instead of exploiting them.
Themes
ethics
customer focus
business strategy
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advisory
ethical
When to use this quote
- sales training
- product design
- marketing messaging
- customer support
Key Concepts
trust
information asymmetry
value creation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you turn ignorance into opportunity for learning?
- What policies prevent exploiting uninformed customers?
A Different Perspective
Customers may resist if they feel manipulated, reducing loyalty.
