Since the process of business has become so dispersed, corporate management finds it increasingly hard to keep in touch with customers, employees and investors. Yet, it has never been more critical to gather the types of information the storeowner easily acquired. The natural expression of doing business at that time is really a model of what successful companies do today. Corporations commission studies of new and existing markets. Focus-group leaders try to understand the issues driving customers and prospects.
Dedicated staff handle inquiries from investors.
In short, many modern businesses spend extensive time and money to better understand the needs and concerns of stakeholders those people with a vested interest in the companies. The idea is that if management is armed with relevant information, it can make better decisions. The question becomes how companies can keep on top of what their customers are thinking and what they desire.