For far too long companies have focused on size. More profits. More subscribers. More leads in the funnel. Bigger, so the establishment believes, is better.
I invite you to challenge that thinking for a moment. What if better were truly better?
Charles Kuralt famously said, “Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything.” He was right about Interstates, and if asked about business today, he might say, “today it is now possible to do business end-to-end without seeing or speaking to another human.” In many respects, technology has removed humanity from business.
I believe the most successful companies are those who embrace technology without losing humanity. Those who do so don’t become bigger, rather they become better at scale.
What might sound like a play on words is a significant difference. If you focus on becoming bigger, you’re looking at numbers as numbers. How can we add more profits, leads or subscribers at any cost? On the contrary, if you’re seeking to become better at scale, you look for ways you can support a human experience for a larger number of people. Therefore, I believe the most significant misuse of technology today is focusing on growing bigger, and not on scaling the human experience.
Customer support is a great example of this shift. Fifty years ago if you had a problem with a product, you could return to the store where you made the purchase. The merchant, often the owner, would greet you by name and would make an effort to solve your problem. The entire experience would be focused on you. As technology came to help at customer service, we added phone systems, online help and other attempts at self-service. And as we added more technology, we subtracted the humanity. Don’t get me wrong, self-service can be gratifying, but with many companies, finding a human when you need one is nearly impossible.
Some of the world’s best technology companies get this and they look for ways to build humanity into their technology. Let’s look over Amazon’s offerings.
They provide a personalized experience. Amazon.com will show you products similar to the ones you’ve purchased before acting as a virtual shopkeeper who knows exactly what you need.
They work with you on your terms. From mobile apps and Dash buttons to Amazon Prime and subscription services, you’re in control of how you want to buy.
They’re excellent when you need help. Amazon’s phone support is one of the best. And their Mayday Button for the Fire Tablet takes it to the next level. When you press the button, you’re connected to an advisor via video chat within 15 seconds of calling.
See how the Mayday Button works:
As one of the world’s largest technology companies, Amazon understands bigger isn’t better. They focus on being better at scale.
If you ask a room full of technologists how to reach as many people as possible, you’ll get a bigger solution. If you ask them how to translate a face-to-face help session into an on-demand experience, you’ll get a better solution. An idea like the Mayday Button doesn’t come from thinking bigger, it comes from thinking better.
What will you do to make your business better at scale?
Today’s lagniappe, something extra added for good measure:
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For far too long companies have focused on size. More profits. More subscribers. More leads in the funnel. Bigger, so the establishment believes, is better.
I invite you to challenge that thinking for a moment. What if better were truly better?
Charles Kuralt famously said, “Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything.” He was right about Interstates, and if asked about business today, he might say, “today it is now possible to do business end-to-end without seeing or speaking to another human.” In many respects, technology has removed humanity from business.
I believe the most successful companies are those who embrace technology without losing humanity. Those who do so don’t become bigger, rather they become better at scale.
What might sound like a play on words is a significant difference. If you focus on becoming bigger, you’re looking at numbers as numbers. How can we add more profits, leads or subscribers at any cost? On the contrary, if you’re seeking to become better at scale, you look for ways you can support a human experience for a larger number of people. Therefore, I believe the most significant misuse of technology today is focusing on growing bigger, and not on scaling the human experience.
Customer support is a great example of this shift. Fifty years ago if you had a problem with a product, you could return to the store where you made the purchase. The merchant, often the owner, would greet you by name and would make an effort to solve your problem. The entire experience would be focused on you. As technology came to help at customer service, we added phone systems, online help and other attempts at self-service. And as we added more technology, we subtracted the humanity. Don’t get me wrong, self-service can be gratifying, but with many companies, finding a human when you need one is nearly impossible.
Some of the world’s best technology companies get this and they look for ways to build humanity into their technology. Let’s look over Amazon’s offerings.
See how the Mayday Button works:
As one of the world’s largest technology companies, Amazon understands bigger isn’t better. They focus on being better at scale.
If you ask a room full of technologists how to reach as many people as possible, you’ll get a bigger solution. If you ask them how to translate a face-to-face help session into an on-demand experience, you’ll get a better solution. An idea like the Mayday Button doesn’t come from thinking bigger, it comes from thinking better.
What will you do to make your business better at scale?
Today’s lagniappe, something extra added for good measure:
I’m working on a new book called Blue Goldfish with Stan Phelps. We’re gathering examples of companies who use technology to become better at scale. Check out our list and add one of your own.