FULL SPEED AHEAD, Vince Poscente
Sign-Up Vince's Weekly
Full Speed Ahead eBrief


Vol.3.148

The Speed of Discomfort

by Vince Poscente
Author of The Ant and the Elephant, Invinceable Principles and The Age of Speed

Squished on a plane beside a dude who was perched as if he was giving birth to a Brontosauraus a thought occurred to me. No, not the thought that Canadian Regional Jets are built by very small Canadians or the notion that boarding an airplane is a notch above being dragged to the gallows.

It's the realization that being uncomfortable and denial don't get along . They never will.

Dear reader, the speed of change is continuing to accelerate… whether we like it or not.

Not liking the evolution of speed doesn't seem to matter with society's insatiable desire to get things faster and easier. We will resist it until someone or some company does it better.

With intense competition in luxury new car sales, you'd think the big guys like BMW, Lexus and Mercedes would be more innovative. But they continue to cast the usual sparkly lures like sleek design and juicy financing. They're fishing in the wrong place. Gaze outside the box encasing the spinning car and look at what Hyundai plans for their luxury brand vehicle - the Equus.

Faster than you can say "I'll have a bowl of Kimchi and a shot of Soju," Hyundai brings the sale to the customer. Skip the dealership altogether and order your test drive from home. If you want it, ink your deal at your own kitchen table, not from a low bouncy pleather chair butted up to an oak veneer, pressboard desk.

Instead of the usual approach of mollifying time starved, task overloaded prospects with WiFi lounges and the spectator sport of perky receptionists swishing toward the mini fridge to get you a Perrier, Hyundai is betting buyers want convenience more than anything.

Like the automaker / car-buyer relationship, the speed of change has anchors and accelerants occupying the same space.

The digital revolution is at odds with an education system's discomfort with reinvention. Parallel push-pull dynamics exist in the healthcare system, the legal system, two party political system and yes - the airline travel system.

Hey, I'm not saying I know the solution. I AM saying we must look for the solution by recognizing the value of time.

Instead of seeking a more creative way to cut the ham short (code for how you've always done things), start with how you can save time for the people you serve without compromising on safety, quality and cost. There is a way. There's always a way.

Hyundai plans on cutting out the uncomfortable "dealership experience" when they sell the Equus. They may be revolutionizing the car buying experience.

Respect people most by saving them time.
They will reward you for it.

As for the flying experience?

I won't deny my discomfort with not getting along with the guy beside me....

I'm inventing pants that have mini taser prongs on the outside of my knees. Next time Mr. Getmea Midwife parts his legs into my limited space - GZZZZT! Comfort reinstated. Thereby relaxed. And thusly - more fun time to write quick reads like this.

Until next week, it's full speed ahead,

Vince
Vince Poscente
New York Times Bestselling Author
Speaker Hall of Fame and Olympian
September 1, 2010
Vol.3.148

 

 

Email This Full Speed Ahead Article to a Friend




© 2010 Vince Poscente. All Rights Reserved.