Pick Two
Is having it all ever possible?
At my local Panera cafe, they offer a lunch special called You Pick 2. It’s a good idea when you can’t commit yourself fully to just one option on the menu. Or if you agree with me that soup is in fact a beverage and not a full fledged member of the entree cast.
Whether you frequent this famous sandwich shop or not, their lunch special offers a compelling parallel that every creative entrepreneur can learn from.
In any scenario, there are 3 primary options you can choose from.
Fast
Cheap
Good
At Panera, you can choose to pair up two options for your lunch, but picking 3 options will cost you the price of 2 full meals. And the same principle often applies to the projects and products you sell in your business.
Customers can’t have it all, unless they want to pay way more.
Let’s take a closer look at the trade-offs we help our customers make.
Good and Cheap won’t be Fast: If you want high-quality results at an affordable price, it may take more time to achieve them. Quality work often requires careful planning and meticulous execution.
Fast and Good won’t be Cheap: When speed and quality are the driving factors, it usually means investing more resources. Expedited timelines may require additional costs to meet the desired level of quality.
Cheap and Fast won’t be Good: If you’re looking for a quick and cost-effective solution, compromises on quality may be necessary. Rapid turnarounds typically don’t allow for the same attention to detail.
Understanding these trade-offs will help you set realistic expectations and help your customers make informed decisions about the ways you can help their business.
Our goal as creatives, is to help customers align their priorities with their project’s requirements.
Remember, it’s about finding the right balance for your desired outcomes.
If we embrace the principles of trade-offs, we’ll be ready to help customers navigate the complexities of business with confidence.
Have you encountered trade-offs between good, cheap, and fast in your industry? Do you typically lean one way as a buyer, or seller?
Hit reply and share your insights.
