Business Quote by Meg Whitman
“Many companies operate from more of a command-and-control environment - they decide what's going to happen at headquarters and have the organization execute. That doesn't work here because it's the community of users who really have control. So we enable, not direct. We think of our customers as people, not wallets. And that has implications for how we run the company. We partner with our customers and let them take the company where they think it's best utilized.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Business Strategy Talk, 2012
Companies should empower users, treating them as partners rather than mere revenue sources.
In simple terms: Empower users, not just profit.
Key Takeaway
Shift focus to customer partnership.
Themes
leadership
customer centricity
empowerment
Mood
strategic
collaborative
Type
business
leadership
When to use this quote
- product development
- community building
- marketing strategy
- organizational design
Key Concepts
co‑creation
shared value
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide when to lead vs. enable?
- What mechanisms ensure user input aligns with company goals?
A Different Perspective
Over‑empowering can dilute brand direction if not balanced with vision.
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