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I wrote this post two years ago and for some reason never published it, but I think it makes some good points about simplicity and not confusing price and payoff. See what you think...
We had an interesting email from a client who also deals with a certain other album company (shame on him – LOL). This company makes a big deal about simplicity … and quite right too.
Anyway, he asked them if they'd consider introducing some - gulp - options, and to his frustration they said No.
Now to be fair, over the years we've got better at saying No to things that compromise either the integrity of our product or our ability to deliver it, and if there's one thing we do like it's simplicity, but there is still a big difference in philosophy here.
It's highlighted by two things this company said to our client.
1. They suggested that he solve the problem of customers asking for options that they didn't offer by not showing them any other albums! Now that's a great idea, until people see what they want at your competitor's.
2. They also said that offering "options" would create production difficulties for them. No argument there. The solution for Queensberry lies in the workflow and systems that connect you with us (cue a big fanfare for Photojunction and Workspace here), in setting very high standards for our team … and understanding that yes, with more chances to screw up every now and then we may.
That's the price, not to be confused with the pay-off – differentiation.
Because making all your albums look pretty much the same as everyone else's ignores the fact that one of the most visible signs of differentiation between studios is … the album. And that's important because in the long run there are only two ways to compete - differentiate or drop your prices.
We don't believe that your clients' choices, or your opportunity to project yourself in the market, should be put aside because artisanship and good taste and catering to personal choice are all difficult.
And here's the thing – our job is to see that as far as possible, any difficulties involved are our problem, not yours.
Cheers, Ian
PS I also blogged about this five years ago: No Sausages at Queensberry
Stephen Baugh
on
August 2, 2013, 6:37 am
said:
I don't think it's just about options for options sake, it's about personal expression. Everyone, wants to make choices that reflect their life values and taste. Thats good as it celebrates that we are all different.
I also think that Photography is about service and find it hard to understand how it's good for the industry if photographers talk about how much they charge and then brag how simple their life is because they use auto design. That's just lazy and dishonours the customer. Ultimately the simplest is also the item with no value add and then your commoditised.
I used to hate that this company came on the market, not because of the competition, but because it was a well deserved kick up the but that as album manufactures we were to complicated.
They taught us a lesson we needed to have, and we've still got away to go, but it's a good path to be on. I thank them for that.
We'll never be able to make "making a choice easy, if you aren't good at that", but it has driven me to work on how we make Queensberry more simple.
Just remember it's always the first decision that's the hardest, not all of them.
