What Do We Absolutely Need? [first in a series]

January 18, 2009 by David Eggleton

This series is to stimulate visions of new niches in the local economy. It's addressed to people with businesses and to enterprising people not yet in business.

Not long ago, distinguishing between needs and wants seemed to be an unpopular exercise. Marketers with deep pockets helped make it so, doing their best to blur and rub out any lines we might have drawn. Today more and more of us find it important, if not enjoyable, to draw a new, bold line and know where we stand in relation to it. Much is uncertain, so we respond with cautious attention and conservation. We focus on acquiring what we truly need, that which we cannot do without. Therefore, there is always a market in a locale for the goods and services that satisfy fundamental human needs.

Change and uncertainties combine to create an opening for local producers and providers. At first, the opening may be a mere crack because consumers have habits and routines, of thought as well as of practice. They do not move as one, at once. As they individually consider the reasons for current events and trends, however, the crack will widen. To the extent that reasons identified include distant decision making, distant sourcing and production processes, and distant destinations of dollars paid, local providers will see attention and commitments turning in their direction. Recognized and appreciated for their personal stakes in the locale, they can begin to compete. Operating with integrity and delivering quality, they can succeed.

There is always a market in a locale for the goods and services that satisfy fundamental human needs. Think about what you can offer now or would enjoy providing when prepared. Get listed or get prepared!