So years later, when his popularity had waned and his concerts were more intimate gatherings, he was reminded of this and quipped, "still gods, but no longer of the flesh."
  
Marketing is increasingly important to keeping the customer base alive. Yet to do this, you have to understand what keeps them here and what sends them off to some other place. Because unless you understand that -- really understand it -- there is no way you can possibly be sure you are satisfying/propitiating them.
  
At the same time, however, it is important to recognize that your gods are not all-knowing. Sometimes they make outrageously unreasonable demands. Sometimes they do not know what they want or what is in their own best interests. So there is no need to respond to their every whim. If they want something that is obviously wrong, the company should flat-out refuse. And should even explain why it refused -- what the problem was and where the customer was wrong.
  
Building a sound society is everybody's business. It is not enough for companies to just indulge their customers. Customer education is an important part of being socially responsible.

  
Watanabe Eikou
Business Management Institute