September 7, 2008

What Turns Standing Out into Outstanding?

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:12 am

Blending In and Standing Out

It’s a fact of gardening and nature. No matter how we plant and tend the seeds, we’ll never be sure that the flowers that bloom will be as expected. Too many things genetic and environmental can happen.

If you’ve found buttercups growing in the weeds, you’ve seen such things. The natural world is filled with juxtapositions. Things in new places stand out.

The butterfly fits with grace, blending into its natural habitat.

monarch_and_flower


We value a butterfly differently when it stands out.

monarch


The least expected often gets the most attention.
Differences interrupt static patterns.

feeling_different


Nature finds it’s own path.
We look for differences.

What turns standing out into outstanding?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
images: sxc.hu

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5 Comments to “What Turns Standing Out into Outstanding?”

  1. September 7th, 2008 at 8:57 am
    Karin H. said

    Hi Liz

    Delivering more than promised or what’s expected in your ‘trade’ / type of business.

    How often does simply doing what it says on the tin nowadays makes you stand out and turns your business in an outstanding one?

    Not sure, but somehow it doesn’t make sense does it? Every promise should be fulfilled, but it’s common knowledge a lot of businesses still deliver on a mediocre level - making the ones that do stand out.
    If it is so simple why doesn’t every business ’stand-out’?

    Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

  2. September 7th, 2008 at 11:12 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Karin,
    Great point . . . why doesn’t every business stand out?

    It seems possible that each could bring a unique value to the table.

  3. September 7th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
    Kirk M said

    Whether in business or a personal endeavor, I have to agree with Kathy, that it’s not just important to deliver on the promises you make but going just that much farther (and follow up as well) that makes difference. Still, so much depends on a person’s (or persons) perception of any given situation.

    There are those who really appreciate the fact that the butterfly blends in so well, there are those who appreciate how the butterfly stands out, those who won’t appreciate either one until the butterfly is gone and, of course, those who can appreciate all 3. On the other hand there are those who expect the butterfly to be there all the time and then complain that there’s not two of them.

    And there are those who simply can’t stand bugs at all if you know what I mean.

    Stand by what you say, live up to your promises if not a little more and always try to remain flexible and consistent, even when the reception is less than positive.

    All in all it’s a hard question to answer, especially when it involves people and their oh-so varied reactions.

  4. September 8th, 2008 at 8:38 am
    Seamus Anthony said

    Think Elton John - his behaviour tends to stand out but it is far from outstanding!

  5. September 11th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
    Kristina said

    I agree with Kirk that with people’s different opinions of what constitutes “standing out” it’s hard to put your finger on what will make your business stand out. I think maybe it has something to do with majority rules. Most people appreciate good customer service, so there’s one way to stand out – provide exceptional customer service. People don’t expect “exceptional” these days. The colorful butterfly against the gray rock (or tree) is pleasantly unexpected so maybe we need to give people a pleasant surprise to stand out!?

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