-The quality, state, or capability of being affected by

something external; sensation; sensibility. [Obs.]

(1913 Websters)

My wife, Andi, found this story and I thought it was a perfect example of perception from the client's point of view. This is a great insight into what the client perceives  and is what determines their perceived value and purchasing decisions.  

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approximately two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After three minutes, a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

Four minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw money in the hat without stopping.

Six minutes later:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes later:

A three-year old boy stopped but his mother who tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes later:

The musician played continuously.  Only six people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace.  The man collected a total of $32.

After one hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the Metro Station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. In a common-place environment the questions were raised: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:  If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made...how many other things are we missing?

                                    -Article written by the Washington Post 2007

                                     Video Available on YouTube - Joshua Bell 

So often I find business that are like the violin player. They play music they think will drive the clients to buy like the Pied Piper. Yet they just end up playing music for the passers by and wonder why no one is buying. They say, "I know they need this, look at everything it does." Perception is like an optical illusion at times, you think you see one image then you see another. Take the time to understand the client's perspective and you will have a concert hall full of clients giving you a standing ovation.

Is your business like the violinist in the metro station?

Are you providing an amazing sound, but it seems no one is listening? 

What is your business missing by not understanding the client's perception?

Do you know what your client's perception is?

RP. www.sensationalyou.net- Power Networking