Be a Solution Provider

"In marketing and product development today, it's not about what's next. Rather, it's about what's important to your customer. … Translate your ideas for customers, make your offerings meaningful for them. A great example: the new LG cell phone that includes GPS technology and a compass that points the way to Mecca. They're selling it to Muslims who stop during the day to turn to Mecca to pray. The product is a huge success in the Muslim world."

—Robyn Waters, founder and president, TW Trend, a trend consulting company