By Justin Stoddart

Introduction

Picture this—it’s 2004, and you and your friends rush into a Blockbuster, hoping to grab the latest movie release before all the copies are gone. You either get lucky, or you settle for a second-rate movie. Blockbuster believed this was a customer experience people cherished. Meanwhile, Netflix was quietly revolutionizing the industry with DVD rentals by mail and an even bigger innovation on the horizon—streaming.

Fast forward to today, and we all know how that story played out. Blockbuster stuck to what they thought people wanted, while Netflix used data to understand what customers actually wanted—convenience, personalization, and predictive recommendations.

The Blockbuster Mistake: Overestimating Customer Loyalty

Blockbuster made a critical error: they assumed their customers loved the in-store rental experience more than they actually did. Sure, it was the norm for years, but that didn’t mean it was the best option.

Netflix, on the other hand, observed customer behavior and anticipated their needs. They saw that people valued convenience over tradition. Rather than waiting for customers to express dissatisfaction, Netflix proactively innovated, predicting what customers would want before they even realized it themselves.

The Netflix Edge: Using Data to Stay Ahead

One of Netflix’s biggest advantages was its ability to gather and interpret data:

• They tracked what DVDs people rented the most.

• They analyzed viewing trends and behavior patterns.

• They developed algorithms to predict what customers would enjoy before they even asked for it.

While Blockbuster nickel-and-dimed customers with late fees, Netflix offered unlimited viewing—removing friction from the customer experience and deepening loyalty.

The ProInsight Approach: Predictive Data + High-Trust Relationships

Many professionals assume their client relationships alone will keep them ahead. But relying solely on traditional relationship-building—without data-driven insights—is the modern equivalent of waiting for customers to walk into a Blockbuster store.

So what if you could anticipate your clients’ needs before they even realized them?

ProInsight combines high-trust relationships with AI-driven predictive data to provide actionable insights that elevate your service. Instead of waiting for clients to tell you what they need, we empower you to present solutions proactively.

With our Deep Dive product, we:
✅ Collect predictive property data
✅ Utilize AI to identify opportunities
✅ Present clients with solutions before they even realize they need them

This is the future of professional service: not just responding to client needs but anticipating them.

Don’t Be Blockbuster

If you’re not using data-driven insights to shape your business, you risk becoming the next Blockbuster—assuming you know what clients want instead of using real insights to guide you.

At ProInsight, we help you serve smarter, not harder. Let’s ditch outdated thinking, embrace predictive data, and build the future together.