Thursday, November 1, 2012

If you're not going to do it right, why do it at all?

Many times the intention is right, but the follow through is simply not there.

Let me explain a bit further with two examples.

I live in Manhattan on the lucky side (north of 34th street). We have power. While there have been disruptions, nothing as compared to my southern neighbors. The one disruption I faced was on Tuesday when my local New York Sports Club gym was closed.

Some background. When I first moved to this location, I was trying to decide between two gyms: NYSC ($70/mo) and Equinox ($170/mo). NYSC is like a factory. No frills, just workout and leave. Its competitor, Equinox, sells luxury and customer service. Think Holiday Inn vs. Ritz Carlton. In the membership courting process, I spoke to both gym's sales teams, which both required my contact information to proceed. Long story short, I selected a stay at the no frills Holiday Inn, despite dreaming of the pillows at the Ritz.

After going to the gym on Monday, NYSC notified me that they would be closed on Tuesday due to the storm. Day off from the gym, no big deal. Then, in what was likely in response to the NYSC closure, Equinox pounced. In an email to all of their recent prospects they offered complementary access to the gym on Tuesday. I obviously took them up on the offer.

When I walked into Equinox that next morning, I found an interesting development. Equinox looked great from the posterior.  Until I walked upstairs to the cardiovascular area. The place was packed. I waited in line for 15 minutes for a treadmill to open. While I couldn't complain about a free day, I thought to myself: this was the opportunity to show that a $100/mo premium for Equinox was worth it. They had the right idea to invite prospects, but the follow-through was terrible. Had they really wanted to win business from the local gyms, they would have be far more coordinated, possibly enforcing a 30 minute limit on use or having the staff help people look for open machines. Do it right and people remember.

I got to thinking how often this happens, both in my own endeavors and other as well. How often are things done halfhearted? I can say that I am guilty, but after this experience, I want to change my ways. The select few that do things the right way are winners. What's the saying? If you're not going to do it right, why do it at all?

Another example. Think about the recent sanctions that you must have 3+ passengers to enter Manhattan via a handful of bridges. I understand the theory behind it. Safety of pedestrians first, promote mass transit use second. Also, I think a hidden agenda is also to show a viable plan to limit cars in NYC longer-term, outside of in reaction to this storm.  But just announce the changes and walk away? How about providing the infrastructure for people to collaborate and form the carpools? Why not get ahead of the curve and talk to Robin Chase, founder of Zipcar, on her carpooling venture GoLoco? Do it right the first time and you win over the masses. Do it wrong the first time and everyone remembers the trouble it caused.

I want to start focusing on trying to do things right the first time, and improving from that point. Again, if you're not going to do it right, why do it at all?