Over the weekend Tobii launched the Application Market for Tobii Eye Trackers! Customers can share, download and find information about independently created software applications that have been tested by Tobii and function together with Tobii Eye Trackers.

Applications include anything from gaze control programs, plugins to psychology tools, visualisation tools, market research tools (like Attention Tool), Text2.0 tools for augmenting reading and other Geeky stuff!

Have look at the Application Market for Tobii Eye Trackers!

I just finished reading Three Cups of Tea. It gave me many insights into Pakistani and Afghani culture. The impact of America, Al-Qaeda, Islam, Altitude, Isolation and one person, the author,  Greg Mortenson.

This book was truly amazing, the insights I gained could fill this blog, however, I want to share this one.

After the death of his sister Mortenson decided to climb K2.  On the way down he got sidetracked, nearly died and was saved by the Villagers of Korphe in remote Northeastern Pakistan. He promised to build them a school and, after realising that they needed a bridge to get the building materials into the village, work started. He became very stressed, trying to control the villagers, worried that they would not do what was required in time.  The village Chief  Haji Ali then told Mortenson,

‘If you want to thrive in Baltistan, you must respect our ways. The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die. Doctor Greg, you must take time to share three cups of tea. We may be uneducated but we are not stupid. We have lived and survived here for a long time.’

Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace… One School at a Time)

He then relaxed, knowing that he had had many cups of tea with them! Instead trying to control the villagers, he got to know them better and gave them his trust. The work was, of course, finished on time.

From my perspective as a B2B consultancy owner, this lesson goes so deep. Conversations, the proverbial cups of tea, are the glue that holds a successful business together. Every person who touches a client must get to know them so well. This includes the B2B owner, the sales guy, the person who delivers the service and the one who chases up your invoice.  With limited marketing budgets and limited time, this what makes great small businesses flourish.

What are you doing to get to know your clients?