As a former ad agency partner, and erstwhile marketing consultant, I've worked with a lot of business owners and managers over the years. Some are by nature great marketers. Others not so much. 

Root of most marketing strategy problems is the inability to see the world through the customer's eyes. 

If you see the world from your own point of view, understand that you may be missing the concerns, needs and desires of your best prospects. 

That's the topic of my blog post: 

For Marketing: Dump The “We” Questions; Ask About “Them”

If you want to develop a solid marketing strategy, it pays to ask the right questions. A lot of businesses don't. They ask: "How can we develop more business?" instead of "What do our prospective customers need from us? What are they getting from the competition? What would make a great product, service or offer in their eyes?"

It's a point of view that separates customer-centered businesses from the pack. 

Find the post here. Please let me know what you think -- especially, if it rings true in your experience.