One favorite ice cream flavor will elicit numerous responses. But, while you may marvel at the abundance of choice you have, including every form of caramel, fruit, peanut butter, pretzel, cake, and cookies, two flavors remain the steadfast go-to’s: chocolate and vanilla. These two account for over 30% of ice cream consumed by Americans.
All too often, we are fascinated with the newest, the latest, and the most novel. Companies invariably use it as a ploy to attract new customers and attention for its differentiation. Yet, there is always an actual product or service that is the mainstay for the organization. It is the vanilla/ the chocolate, and regardless of all the changes, customers are likely to seek this out again over time.
Whether we should focus on creating the best vanilla possible or on making the newest gastronomic delight, the phenomenon is not unique to organizations and products but also applies to people and relationships.
It may be helpful to find our vanilla and look to perfect that as the core of what we do. It does not suggest that we should first ask ourselves whether it is chocolate or vanilla, but when we find a good core, we should build that foundation as best as possible.
