Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary?

 It really is the little extra, and yes, I know how corny this line is. My reason for talking about this is the fact that I'm sitting in Newark airport waiting for a flight and simply amazed at how low the bar is here (and most any other airport) for the consumer experience.

The outlet which is my source of nirvana
Security aside, as there is virtually no hope for that improving any time soon for obvious reasons, everything else about it is pretty crummy. The food, the service, the seating, the lighting, having to (as I currently am) pay for wifi. I actually got really excited when I found a place to plug in my iPad. Seriously?!?

This is how low my expectations are. I just got visibly excited over electricity. 

I just feel like if someone were to step up and making the airport a desirable place to be, even just a little bit, it would be a tremendous success.

Airports aside (I realize claiming that they are a sub par experience isn't exactly discovering America) what could you do in your personal life to be just a little better? Often times, you just have to suck a little bit less than everyone else to stand out. You don't need to be amazing, just be better.

I'm often juggling a lot of stuff, and deep down I want to be the best at everything. When you're a busy person like myself though, everything can't be perfect - and that's ok.

I just make sure I am doing an honest job, do my best and try to at least exceed expectations. Perfection is often impossible, so stop worrying about it.

Drive slow.

2 comments:

  1. Totally agree on the airport experience in general being poor. This has bothered me for quite awhile - it seems like an ideal environment for an enterprising city, region, or airport manager to make a tremendous difference with relatively small improvements.

    An airport has a number of characteristics that most businesses would pay dearly for: a captive market (usually for multiple hours), the ability to charge premium rates due to monopoly conditions, a wealthy client base, recurring customers, etc.

    Some airports have embraced this to a limited to degree and I'm amazed at the difference in the customer experience. Portland comes to mind - easy parking directly adjacent to the terminal, and quality bars / restaurants outside the security gates. At most airports I've been to, if you are picking someone up your best option is likely a cell phone waiting lot (if it's not already full) or chilling at a Starbucks or McDonald's a mile or two away.

    Hope all is well!

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  2. Pretty remarkable really. But I guess it's "good enough" and they have a captive audience that needs to fly. I'll be curious to see Portland some day, haven't been to that airport.

    Thanks for commenting! Hope all is well with you as well!

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