In recent years, pop psych wisdom has counseled us to remember that we are not "human doings" but human beings. I have subscribed to this notion myself. The idea being that one's self-worth is about more than achievement.
But two sages from different worlds -- Aristotle and Seth Godin -- advised me this week that, actually, what I do is who I am.
Sunday, as I pondered whether to work on a creative project near and dear to me or to tick off my to-do list, I was reminded of Aristotle's quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit." That's all I needed to hear, I immediately chose to work on the project because that is who I want to be.
I was struck by this idea again this morning when I read Godin's post on authenticity. He concludes, "You could spend your time wondering if what you say you are is really you. Or you could just act like that all the time. That's good enough, thanks. Save the angst for later." Again, I chose to do what I want to be.
The same can be said for organizations. As a school branding consultant, I spend a lot of time working with institutions who want to be known for being excellent. I say, prove it. Tell me what makes your claim true. Tell me how you do excellence.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Connect the Dots
Between a few choice quotes and headlines from this week’s higher ed dailies and blogs.
“In his opening remarks [a college president] said [to the panel] that ‘perhaps the independent college sector has hit a tipping point when it comes to pricing.’”
“Americans Increasingly See College as Essential and Worry More About Access, Poll Finds”
“The more you sound like your competitors,” said a higher ed marketing consultant, “the more students will make decisions based on cost.”
“‘No Frills’ Campus in New Hampshire Saves Students Tens of Thousands of Dollars”
Big picture: Families have long based college choices on their own assessment of value (a personally subjective equation of prestige+outcomes+experience+price). Higher ed marketers have long made the case that “the experience” of one school over another makes a higher price “worth it.” But there’s no “perhaps” about the pricing tipping point. More than ever, price trumps “experience” and often prestige. A good deal can be prestige and experience in and of itself.
“In his opening remarks [a college president] said [to the panel] that ‘perhaps the independent college sector has hit a tipping point when it comes to pricing.’”
“Americans Increasingly See College as Essential and Worry More About Access, Poll Finds”
“The more you sound like your competitors,” said a higher ed marketing consultant, “the more students will make decisions based on cost.”
“‘No Frills’ Campus in New Hampshire Saves Students Tens of Thousands of Dollars”
Big picture: Families have long based college choices on their own assessment of value (a personally subjective equation of prestige+outcomes+experience+price). Higher ed marketers have long made the case that “the experience” of one school over another makes a higher price “worth it.” But there’s no “perhaps” about the pricing tipping point. More than ever, price trumps “experience” and often prestige. A good deal can be prestige and experience in and of itself.
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