Dan Ariely has pointed to the power of relativity when it comes choosing and experiencing those choices. Satisfaction with a meal, a job, a car, is often relative not only to what others around us are experiencing, but is also dependent on how the event is presented at the time when we choose. A small plate under a sandwich not only makes the sandwich seem bigger, but you will also “feel” more satisfied after eating it.
I remember recently hearing the story of an web entrepreneur who chose to drive around in a prius because it was the best hybrid in its class. He could have chosen the Porsche Boxster (The “poor man’s Porsche”) for a similar cost, but he claimed he’d feel like he was always on the bottom rung of the Porsche ladder. Fair enough.
on Nov 12th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Mmyeah, hate to burst your bubble, but for the cost of even the cheapest version of the Porsche Boxster you could buy about 2.5 of the most expensive version of the Toyota Prius.
*But* he was doing what a good CEO should be able to do: tell a memorable story that reflects well on him and his company culture.
on Nov 12th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Agree completely with the value of the story. On the pricing, I neglected to say the boxter was 6 years old