--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If your customers have to ask you for it…" description: "\"If your customers have to ask you for it, you haven't been thinking far enough ahead.\" — Ron Kaufman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/013/ron-kaufman-3154_ahead_if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it_2985858.png" --- # If your customers have to ask you for it, you haven't been… ![“If your customers have to ask you for it, you haven't been thinking far enough ahead.” quote by Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/013/ron-kaufman-3154_ahead_if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it_2985858.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/013/ron-kaufman-3154_ahead_if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it_2985858.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/013/ron-kaufman-3154_ahead_if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it_2985858.png) > “If your customers have to ask you for it, you haven't been thinking far enough ahead.” [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If customers must request a service, the provider lacks foresight and innovation **In simple terms:** Anticipate needs before customers ask Key Takeaway Plan ahead to meet unvoiced needs Themes customer service innovation strategy Mood pragmatic motivational Type business strategic When to use this quote - product development - customer support - market research Key Concepts Design thinking proactive planning Questions to Reflect On - What unmet needs can you anticipate? - How to balance anticipation with overproduction? A Different Perspective Predicting needs is risky and may waste resources ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culture/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Service culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service-culture/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [When a customer asks what no one else has ever asked, pay close attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/when-a-customer-asks-what-no-one-else-has-ever-asked-pay-close/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Silent customers can be deadly. Encourage them to complain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/silent-customers-can-be-deadly-encourage-them-to-complain/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Developing great employees attracts great customers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/developing-great-employees-attracts-great-customers/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Good customers want good quality service. Great customers want it even more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/good-customers-want-good-quality-service-great-customers-want-it-even/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [I live in the present and do not look that far ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sourav-ganguly/i-live-in-the-present-and-do-not-look-that-far-ahead/) [Sourav Ganguly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sourav-ganguly/) > [I don't think too far ahead because I want to appreciate what's happening now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-ware/i-don-t-think-too-far-ahead-because-i-want-to-appreciate-what-s/) [Jessie Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-ware/) > [I've never been one to look too far ahead since I came back into the England side and I'm not going to change that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-thorpe/i-ve-never-been-one-to-look-too-far-ahead-since-i-came-back-into-the/) Graham Thorpe > [If we get too far ahead of ourselves we will fall over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-henry/if-we-get-too-far-ahead-of-ourselves-we-will-fall-over/) Graham Henry > [I try not to get too far ahead of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhea-seehorn/i-try-not-to-get-too-far-ahead-of-myself/) [Rhea Seehorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhea-seehorn/) > [If you think too far ahead, if you even try to think too far ahead, you'll never make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-baldwin/if-you-think-too-far-ahead-if-you-even-try-to-think-too-far-ahead-you/) [James A. Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-baldwin/) > [I try not to look too far ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-reid/i-try-not-to-look-too-far-ahead/) [Eric Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-reid/) > [I always try not to look too far ahead. I just look far enough to know where I'm going next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-ortega/i-always-try-not-to-look-too-far-ahead-i-just-look-far-enough-to-know/) [Brian Ortega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-ortega/) > [Set your sights not just on the next few weeks ... set your sights on the years ahead - because our vision will look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rainey-harper/set-your-sights-not-just-on-the-next-few-weeks-set-your-sights-on-the/) [William Rainey Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-rainey-harper/) > [Sometimes we look to far ahead in our future and we get hurt for stuff that didn't even happen to us as yet !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/sometimes-we-look-to-far-ahead-in-our-future-and-we-get-hurt-for/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [I don't want to look too far ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/i-don-t-want-to-look-too-far-ahead/) [Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/) ## More by Ron Kaufman > [Enthusiastic service providers create enthusiastic customers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/enthusiastic-service-providers-create-enthusiastic-customers/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Convince people and you win their minds. Inspire people and you win their hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/convince-people-and-you-win-their-minds-inspire-people-and-you-win/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [The most valuable person is the one who cherishes the value in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/the-most-valuable-person-is-the-one-who-cherishes-the-value-in-others/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Good customers want good quality service. Great customers want it even more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/good-customers-want-good-quality-service-great-customers-want-it-even/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Acting after being asked is compliance. Acting without being asked is kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/acting-after-being-asked-is-compliance-acting-without-being-asked-is/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Are you moving forward, or just moving?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/are-you-moving-forward-or-just-moving/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Create a compelling service vision. When people want to, they will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/create-a-compelling-service-vision-when-people-want-to-they-will/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [A great leader makes what is visible in their mind, visible to all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/a-great-leader-makes-what-is-visible-in-their-mind-visible-to-all/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Developing great employees attracts great customers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/developing-great-employees-attracts-great-customers/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Plans turn promises into results and dreams into realities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/plans-turn-promises-into-results-and-dreams-into-realities/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Sometimes we become so expert in our own domain, we forget that customers may be less familiar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/sometimes-we-become-so-expert-in-our-own-domain-we-forget-that/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Silent customers can be deadly. Encourage them to complain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/silent-customers-can-be-deadly-encourage-them-to-complain/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [If you want to be the best, find the best in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/if-you-want-to-be-the-best-find-the-best-in-others/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [When you see the need, take the action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/when-you-see-the-need-take-the-action/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [Never rest on past success. Create something better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/never-rest-on-past-success-create-something-better/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) [Explore all 138 Ron Kaufman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) ## More Ahead quotes > [Anybody who thinks that they should lead the country should go ahead and put their hat in the ring. I am not among them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-schatz/anybody-who-thinks-that-they-should-lead-the-country-should-go-ahead/) [Brian Schatz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-schatz/) > [If I have a problem with somebody, I go ahead and say what's on my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nico-hulkenberg/if-i-have-a-problem-with-somebody-i-go-ahead-and-say-what-s-on-my-mind/) [Nico Hulkenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nico-hulkenberg/) > [I once invested in a risky business. Quite a few people warned me not to do so, but I still went ahead and invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautam-rode/i-once-invested-in-a-risky-business-quite-a-few-people-warned-me-not/) [Gautam Rode](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautam-rode/) > [“What lies behind us is nothing compared to what lies within us and ahead of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-r-covey/what-lies-behind-us-is-nothing-compared-to-what-lies-within-us-and/) [Stephen R. 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I'm a sports fan in general, so I pretty much keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chadwick-boseman/i-m-the-kind-of-guy-who-comes-home-and-checks-scores-for-everything-i/) [Chadwick Boseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chadwick-boseman/) > [People are flying you places in business class. Everyone wants to take pictures of you and find out information about you. It's a freak-out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yolandi-visser/people-are-flying-you-places-in-business-class-everyone-wants-to-take/) [Yolandi Visser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yolandi-visser/) > [I wasn't putting my all into it and I was still managing to score goals, and that gave me something to dream about, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gray/i-wasn-t-putting-my-all-into-it-and-i-was-still-managing-to-score/) [Andre Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gray/) > [There's no limit to what you can accomplish, but there's always someone one step ahead of you, so it's a constant uphill battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-mary-stewart/there-s-no-limit-to-what-you-can-accomplish-but-there-s-always/) [Catherine Mary Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-mary-stewart/) > [I was never bothered about my position in the industry. If I had believed in it, I wouldn't have allowed anyone to get ahead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dharmendra/i-was-never-bothered-about-my-position-in-the-industry-if-i-had/) [Dharmendra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dharmendra/) > [I don't want to look too far ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jofra-archer/i-don-t-want-to-look-too-far-ahead/) [Jofra Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jofra-archer/) > [“one who takes the first step always remains one step ahead”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabi-shaheen/one-who-takes-the-first-step-always-remains-one-step-ahead/) Rabi Shaheen > [I am not interested to sing in Bollywood. I sing for only those actors whom I admire. I sing free of cost for them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-honey-singh/i-am-not-interested-to-sing-in-bollywood-i-sing-for-only-those-actors/) [Yo Yo Honey Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-honey-singh/) Browse all 1,773 Ahead quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If your customers have to ask you for it, you haven't been thinking far enough ahead.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ron Kaufman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it-you-haven-t-been-thinking/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ahead" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it-you-haven-t-been-thinking/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/013/ron-kaufman-3154_ahead_if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it_2985858.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/013/ron-kaufman-3154_ahead_if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it_2985858.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/013/ron-kaufman-3154_ahead_if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it_2985858.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If your customers have to ask you for it, you haven't been thinking far enough ahead.” — Ron Kaufman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ron Kaufman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If your customers have to ask...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it-you-haven-t-been-thinking/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/if-your-customers-have-to-ask-you-for-it-you-haven-t-been-thinking/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```