The approach helped shift attention toward the consumer’s perspective.
Instead of measuring success exclusively through sales figures, businesses could also evaluate whether customers were satisfied with the products they purchased.
That distinction mattered. A company might sell thousands of vehicles, but recurring quality problems could damage its reputation and weaken customer loyalty over time.
Power helped make customer feedback a more visible and valuable measure of business performance.
His work demonstrated that listening to consumers was not simply a public relations exercise. It could become a practical tool for improving products, strengthening trust, and building sustainable businesses.
Building J.D. Power Into a Recognized Name
Starting a research company in 1968 required patience, determination, and confidence in an idea that was not yet widely accepted.
Power and his wife built their business around the belief that independent information could help companies make better decisions.
The company gradually developed a reputation for consumer research and industry analysis. Its studies became particularly associated with vehicle quality, dependability, and customer satisfaction.
