What do all the most successful drone companies have in common?
If you guessed “rad tech at a fair price,” you’d be wrong.
There’s one more crucial ingredient that far too many manufacturers lack. And that ingredient is trust.
Enterprise drones are huge right now. But with great growth comes great responsibility.
Transparency, that is.
Companies that get transparency right are building relationships with buyers that will last long after others have burned their bridges. But what about companies that don’t practice radical transparency? What happens to them?
Let’s dive in.
What you’ll learn:
- Why transparency is the name of the game in commercial drones
- How security concerns are making buyers think twice
- Why becoming NDAA compliant requires openness
- How all businesses can apply these lessons
Transparency Is Everything in the Drone Industry
Commercial drones aren’t going away.
According to a recent report, the commercial drone market is projected to hit $54.64 billion by 2030.
That’s a huge industry. But here’s the catch…
When industries grow this fast, people get concerned. Customers begin to ask questions. Where did this technology come from? Who made it? How can I trust what they’re saying?
These are fair questions. And drone buyers are asking them. A LOT.
Corporate buyers aren’t casual hobbyists. They’re government entities, utilities, insurance companies, and more. And these groups simply can’t afford to trust just anybody.
That’s why many organizations buying drones today favor vendors who use NDAA compliant drones. As you might imagine, this requires extreme transparency.
Fear of the unknown is a powerful motivator.
Businesses who aren’t transparent about their drones will soon find themselves out of the game. Companies who embrace openness will stick around…and profit.
Buyers Are Concerned About Security
Here’s the deal…
Commercial drones generate massive amounts of data. Flight logs, photos, videos, GPS coordinates. All of that data needs to go somewhere.
That’s not a problem for most hobbyists. But when you’re buying drones for business use, data security is a HUGE concern.
Those flight logs and GPS coordinates can tell someone everything about the infrastructure around your facility. When combined with video from a drone’s camera, that information could be priceless to foreign adversaries.
It’s no surprise the U.S. government is stepping in to regulate who sells drones to agencies and federal contractors.
In 2022, President Biden signed the American Security Drone Act into law which prevents federal agencies from procuring drones manufactured by “foreign adversaries.”
Similar regulations have been enacted at the state and local level as well. Buying drones is becoming a serious compliance issue.
Companies are split pretty evenly between those who have prioritized compliance and those who don’t know what to do.
NDAA Compliance = Transparency
The NDAA lays out which drone components and manufacturers meet U.S. security standards.
Companies can use this certification to prove their gear doesn’t contain foreign parts they can’t trace. But how does that help build trust?
Simple.
NDAA compliance requires complete transparency. Supply chain documentation is closely examined during the certification process. Every piece of technology in a drone must be traced back to its source.
No more hidden parts from “friendly” foreign countries. NDAA compliance allows buyers to rest easy knowing their drones are 100% made in the USA.
Think about your average drone buyer. They’re experts at risk management. Their entire job revolves around controlling variables.
When procurement specialists at utility companies and government agencies select a drone vendor, they’re picking partners who can manage risk.
NDAA compliant companies give them peace of mind by being as transparent as possible.
Transparency Lessons All Businesses Can Learn From
Bold claim coming…
Every single company (no matter the industry) can learn a thing or two from commercial drones. How you may ask?
Well, let’s look at what today’s most successful drone companies know to be true.
If you want customers to trust you, be as transparent as possible.
Customers can verify your claims. They’ll do their own research. They have access to more information than ever before.
The forward-thinking companies in the drone industry know this. That’s why many publish specs online, invite auditors into their facilities, and work with regulators rather than against them.
Transparency is becoming their unique selling proposition.
Did you know FAA registrations exceeded 870,000 as the industry matured? Each one represents an operator who decided to be proactive about following drone laws, rather than risking it and getting caught.
This should signal something to business owners everywhere.
The days of being secretive are gone. Consumers want to do business with people and companies they can trust.
And while trust can take years to build, companies can lose it in seconds by hiding information.
Practicing Trust Through Action
It’s been said before.
Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words.
But how do you action trust?
The drone companies who understand the value of trust are…
- Publishing transparency/security white papers that detail how information is handled
- Obtaining independent certifications/audits
- Maintaining a domestic supply chain with full component traceability
- Responding publicly when questions arise about their businesses
Company leaders know this and are investing time and money into making sure their supply chains are transparent. Will your business?
One last thing…
There’s a compounding effect when it comes to transparency. The more a company has their information audited, the more trustworthy they appear to potential buyers. It’s a virtuous cycle.
And guess what? Maintenance doesn’t stop once you obtain that first certificate.
Companies that value transparency understand this. Their customers will need drones tomorrow. And the day after that. They’ll need to upgrade existing machines and troubleshoot problems.
When customers have questions, transparent companies will be there to answer.
That’s how they build trust.
Wrapping It Up
There’s a lesson every business can learn from the drone industry.
Today’s customers know stuff. Lots of stuff. And if you’re not being open about how your company operates, they’ll find someone who is.
Leaders who understand this are incorporating transparency into their brand DNA. It’s no longer something you “should” do… It’s something you must do if you want to thrive in this new economy.
Drone manufacturers who want government contracts know their buyers will need to trust them with mission critical operations. Guess who those companies turn to when they’re ready to buy drones?
The ones who have proven they can be trusted through transparency.
It’s your move.