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Palm Springs entrepreneur and business consultant Ben Walderman is inviting people everywhere to spend one week observing their communities with fresh eyes and discovering simple ways to improve customer experiences, local businesses, and everyday problem-solving.
California, USA, Jul 14, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Entrepreneur and business consultant Ben Walderman has launched the 7-Day Local Observation Challenge, a free personal challenge designed to help people strengthen one of the most overlooked business skills: paying attention.
Rather than focusing on complex business strategies or expensive tools, the challenge encourages participants to spend just a few minutes each day observing the businesses and places they already visit. The goal is to develop the habit of noticing how customer experiences, operations, and communities work in everyday life.
“I’ve learned that the best ideas usually don’t start in a conference room,” says Walderman. “They start by paying attention. Before I recommend changes to a business, I spend time watching how people move through a space and where small frustrations happen.”
Walderman believes this habit isn’t only valuable for business owners. Anyone can become a better problem solver by becoming a better observer.
“You don’t have to own a company to think like someone who improves one,” he says. “The more you notice, the more opportunities you begin to see.”
Why Observation Matters
Research continues to show that paying attention to customer experience and everyday environments leads to better outcomes:
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According to PwC, 73% of consumers say customer experience is an important factor in purchasing decisions.
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Qualtrics research found that 63% of consumers are more likely to recommend a company based on a positive experience.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that small businesses account for 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, making everyday operational improvements meaningful across millions of organizations.
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Research published in the Harvard Business Review has consistently shown that observing customer behavior often reveals unmet needs that customers themselves may not describe directly.
Walderman says these lessons apply far beyond business.
“Observation teaches patience,” he says. “It helps you ask better questions before you jump to solutions.”
The 7-Day Local Observation Challenge
Participants only need a notebook or the notes app on their phone.
Day 1 – Slow Down
Visit a local business. Spend five minutes simply observing before looking at your phone. Write down three things you notice.
Day 2 – Walk the Customer Journey
Imagine you’re visiting for the first time. What feels easy? What feels confusing?
Day 3 – Notice Great Service
Think about one employee who made an experience better. Write down exactly what they did.
Day 4 – Find One Small Friction Point
Identify one small inconvenience that most people probably ignore. Consider how it could be improved.
Day 5 – Explore Somewhere New
Visit a local restaurant, gallery, coffee shop, or store you’ve never been to before. Observe what makes it memorable.
Day 6 – Have One Conversation
Talk with a local business owner, employee, or customer. Ask what they enjoy most about the community.
Day 7 – Reflect
Review your notes. Identify one observation you can apply to your own work, volunteer role, or daily life.
“The goal isn’t to criticize businesses,” says Walderman. “It’s to train yourself to notice what creates great experiences and where thoughtful improvements can make a difference.”
Share Your Progress
Participants who enjoy sharing publicly are encouraged to post updates throughout the week.
Suggested prompts include:
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“Today I noticed…”
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“One business did this really well…”
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“One small change that would improve the customer experience is…”
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“Here’s one lesson I learned from simply paying attention.”
For those who prefer to keep the challenge private, Walderman recommends keeping a personal journal or creating a private notes document throughout the week.
“The important part isn’t posting online,” he says. “It’s building the habit. That’s where the value is.”
Join the Challenge
The 7-Day Local Observation Challenge is open to everyone, regardless of profession or experience. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, employee, student, or simply someone who enjoys learning, the challenge is designed to help participants become more aware of the people, places, and experiences around them.
As Walderman puts it, “Small observations often lead to the biggest improvements.”
About Ben Walderman
Ben Walderman is a Palm Springs, California-based entrepreneur, business consultant, and community advocate with more than 15 years of experience in real estate development, hospitality strategy, and small business growth. He works with property owners, hospitality businesses, and entrepreneurs to improve operations, customer experience, and long-term business performance while supporting thoughtful growth throughout the Coachella Valley.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Urban Flash News journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.