Programmed to Take the Easy Way?

Demonstrating Commitment or Convenience

Bob Schultek
Bob Schultek

The other day, we were standing in line to use the “up” escalator.  The queue was long, despite the fact that right next to the escalator was a flight of steps that no one was using.The staircase wasn’t too long…about half as long as you might see going to the next floor at a department store.  Yet, there we all were in line, most of us looking reasonably healthy and able to take the stairs.  Unlike most folks in line who were not pulling or carrying something, I was hauling my luggage and so I excused myself from taking it and me up the steps.

As we slowly shifted forward towards the escalator, it occurred to me how programmed we have become to take the easiest path.  In this case, it wasn’t the fastest way forward…just the most convenient.

We get our information quickly and easily.  We’ve come to expect rapid response and instant gratification.  It’s very expedient for us to live this way so perhaps it’s become so convenient that we rarely challenge ourselves to consider alternatives.  Take away our technology or cut off our power, and we whine about why this has happened or complain that someone isn’t getting the job done.  Eventually, we realize that we’ve become too dependent on others and that we need to find another way ourselves.  Many of our friends and associates in New Jersey and New York are still confronting this reality every day!

“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses – only results.”  –Ken Blanchard
 

When we look at how we’re doing business, are we looking for the easy way to serve customers?  Of course, we must make dealing with us simple and easy, but are we demonstrating convenience for us versus commitment to customers?

Please feel free to contact me to chat about this at rschultek@growthpointegrp.com.
If possible, let’s grab a coffee or lunch?

Does your business demonstrate commitment to customers
or convenience for self?

 How could your drive for productivity be impacting
the message you are sending to customers?

Leave a Comment