When was the last time you (or your marketing person, or your marketing team) sat down and talked to customers? Companies spend a lot of time trying to imagine what customers or clients are thinking about, but they rarely ask. Why not set aside one day a month to invite a few customers or clients to lunch? Don’t think of it as a focus group – just chat with them. Let them tell you what they’re worried about and what excites them. Ask if they spend much time online, and where they spend it. Ask how you’re doing. Ask them what businesses they love – and why. One lunch (or dinner, or breakfast) a month could give you a lot of insight for a little investment.