Lasting value is not created by what we do for ourselves but rather through what we do for others. Think about it for a second. Your accumulated wealth will only have a legacy if you bequeath it in a manner so as to create value beyond the years which you will spend on this earth.
I invite you now to think about the fact that everyone involved in the solar industry is in some way, shape or form impacting the future of the planet. You can’t help but feel good knowing that the products you offer do more than simply make someone money. They actually are helping to shape the future of the globe our children and future generations have lent to us.
At ICP Solar we’ve already put about $100million worth of solar power into the world market. That translates into a lot of saved batteries, reduced carbon emissions,elimination of the use of gas burning lanterns and so many other benefits. We have learned over the years that those who mislead the consumer only cheat the legacy which they create for their name.
And so with each passing step, as we were able to move the markets, we increased the rigor of power reporting, educated our customers about how to properly test what they were buying and are now so strict in our quality control processes to the point where we actually are under-rating a number of products today.
Some would say we are cheating ourselves. Not so. In no time flat, this will be discovered by the public at large and then our Sunsei brand will be known as the one that delivered “beyond expectations”.
A recent event reinforced this belief through a conversation and subsequent product development path suggested to me by Chuck Hawley, VP of Product Dev’t at West Marine. Chuck said to me “we want panels that outperform their ratings”. Having just been stung by panels which were proven to be cheating their customers, he stepped up and reminded me just how valued the West Marine brand was to him and his team. The value of the brand was that it created an expectation by customers of superior marine solutions. Thanks Chuck. As we will surely meet this week in Orlando at your dealer show, you will forever have a place in our future as someone who impacted the manner in which we brought product to market.
Everlasting value. It’s what we should all be about. Is your brand about exceeding expectations? If not, the legacy that survives you may not be what you set out to create when you were just a big-eyed pup full of promise, dreams and “I’m going to change the world” hope.
Sass
3 Comments
sass,
good one, like it for not only the philosophy, but also, the bankable asset of being better than others. when I worked at ibm, we had a saying” no one ever got fired for chosing IBM” Perhaps a bit arrogant but the reason behind it was that the product, service and support were always the best. In persuit of higher profit, I think they fell back a bit. I know you will not.
Sass,
Good piece. Seeking lasting value is something most people talk about. Making it happen is where the rubber hits the road. As you think through the process of creating “the value proposition” I would like to suggest that we all need to think about raising the everyone’s understanding of solar and the derivative benefits. Retail presentations, dealer training and consumer offers that result in action should have our focus.
We like what you are doing …
Perhaps this will get the attention of your staff and someone will get me a cable. I was in contact with your staff prior to Christmas. I was trying to procure a cable to connect a 20W Flex panel to a battery on my boat. Simon replied that they were available thru the store on your website which would be up and running by the end of January. This has come and gone. No new web site and still no cable available. So I made contact again and was given case #5573 on Feb. 6 and advised that someone would contact me within 2 working days. Still no contact, still no cable. I would like to be able to add to the testimonials but you are not making it easy. Thanks in advance for your help. Bill Smith