Author Barry Schwartz says "good enough is good enough"

I haven't read his book, but in this interview Barry Schwartz (author of The Paradox of Choice), when asked what can customers do to avoid the paradox of choice, replies:

Most importantly, learn that "good enough is good enough." It's what I call "satisficing" in the book. You don't need the best; probably never do. On rare occasions it's worth struggling to find the best. But generally it makes life simpler if you settle with "good enough." You don't have to make an exhaustive search - just until you find something that meets your standards, which could be high. But the only way to find the absolute best is to look at ALL the possibilities. And in that case you'll either give up, or if you choose one, you'll be nagged by the possibility that you may have found something better.

When "good enough" isn't good enough

Have a look at bestuff.com where you can vote on what you think is "the best stuff in the world."

Starbucks ... Not good enough?

Here in Australia we've had good European-style coffee available to us for decades, so I can't say that I've ever been tempted to visit any of the relatively-new Starbucks establishments here.

Much of this no doubt is due to the large-scale arrival in the country of Italians, Greeks and others following the Second World War, and we must be very grateful to them for the enormous influence they've had on our food, wine and coffee culture!

So, in line with the theme of this particular blog -- and with the aroma of a nice Italian gourmet coffee wafting over my desk -- it was indeed interesting to read a new Marketing Profs article:

Starbucks at the Crossroads: Disruption Junction
Starbucks's real problem now is that the competition is "good enough" to be disruptive and undermine its business. ... But here's the real conundrum Starbucks faces: It will be almost impossible to go back.

There's much to ponder in this article, so go read it in full.

Also, the fateful Schultz memo can be viewed at the Starbucks Gossip site: Starbucks chairman warns of "the commoditization of the Starbucks experience" ... And while you're over at that site you might as well take a look at this article too: Read the Seattle newspapers' coverage of the Schultz memo

Alas, success is only transient, it would seem!