Being Reliable Vs. Being The Best
How delivery can trump excellence.
If you know me, you know that I talk a lot about excellence. As such, me saying that any value could trump excellence is off brand. Yet, in my Otips! guidebook, I espouse that brands who deliver consistently are often more appreciated than those who have better goods and services, because of their dependability. Let me explain…
Say for instance, you are very hungry, and are limited on time. You have an option of dining at Chipotle or a farm-to-table restaurant. More than likely, Chipotle will have all of what is needed to make your meal. Depending on what the farmer supplied to the kitchen that day. Your proposed restaurant may, or may not, have your ingredients. Some people who are close to being hangry will go for the sure bet, and not risk not being satiated. A select few may take the risk of adventure to the full-service restaurant.
Similarly, I once worked on a marketing campaign for which we had to decide on launching with so-so/adequate messaging and creative design, or waiting weeks to generate potential new content and delaying our launch (thus impacting sales). When deliberating between A+ quality, and B- execution, or A+ execution and B- quality, I tend to rock with the latter.
Point of today’s post, think about what is most important to you at any given time, when you have to choose (because ideally you won’t have to choose). Getting it done, or a wait which may not pan out in your favor. Allow your responses to inform decision making in all areas of your life (and watch yourself stress less too).
Olivia is a C-Suite Marketing Exec, Author & Founder of Omerge Alliances & Freedom at The Mat. An NYU & Loyola Professor, she has led mktg at influential organizations such as Carol’s Daughter, VIBE, Live Nation, Ogilvy & more for 25+ years. A Native Memphian, now based in New Orleans, is a forever Harlemite (NYC) who travels extensively and blooms where she is planted.
