Surprisingly, many owners don't know what business they are in. As stated earlier in the basic planning section, very few businesses are original, which is why it is essential to find an appropriate market niche. Small businesses must meet some unique need if they are going to be successful. The owner knows exactly who the customer is. Often the true customer is not apparent.
Valuable time is wasted talking to non-decision makers.
Knowing who the customer is also helps with such facets of the business as product or service mix, advertising approaches and customer satisfaction. Potential customers know about the business. Continually identifying potential customers and educating them about the business is the hallmark of a prosperous operation. A quick survey of potential customers is adequate for determining if the business is known. If prospective consumers are not aware of the business, the owner should evaluate present promotional efforts and develop supplemental forms of advertising.