I’m obsessed with this blog. Big surprise right? Most of you figured this out months ago. But actually, the reality is that I’m not really obsessed with this blog.
I’m obsessed with the idea of providing a good experience.
So, when I set out to start this blog back in February of this year, I made a promise to myself that I would try my best to practice what I preach. Which is the value of a good experience. Is it working? I think it might be. Here are a few signs.
1. The comments here are nearly double the amount of posts
Posts: 295 | Comments: 587 | TrackBacks: 124
2. Many of you have been kind enough to link back to me
Rank: 8,557 (815 links from 261 blogs)
3. I made it on a couple of lists
Most importantly, I know I’m providing a good experience because more often than not—you are telling me so. In your comments, in your e-mails and in the way you describe Logic + Emotion when you talk about the content here (word of mouth). And even more important than that, I know my obsession is paying off because I’ve gotten to know people who I would have never had the opportunity to meet and have great conversations with. I’ve even exchanged life stories with some of you.
Relationships are a hallmark of good experience.
But is obsession with anything a good thing? Of course obsession in it’s pure form can be a truly destructive force. There needs to be balance in all we do—but what about when it’s harnessed, controlled and put to good use? What are some examples of “obsessed” individuals or companies (note, I’m using this term loosely and I am not referencing it as a diagnosable condition). But what if we viewed “obsession” as a ruthless kind of focus? An unusual dedication that produces fruit and tangible results.
Here are some examples of where I see “obsession”—and how it’s not always a bad thing:
Samsung
I think the people at Samsung are obsessed with Industrial Design. They have so many different takes at making a product stand out when compared to the competition. I recently purchased a wireless Bluetooth headset (above) that is a beautiful and tiny little piece of technology. I would have never, ever considered a wireless headset until I saw this. It’s smaller than my thumb, lightweight and doesn’t make me look like something out of Star Trek. Someone at Samsung was obsessed with making a better wireless headset—and they did.
Southwest Airlines
I think the people at Southwest are obsessed with their customers, their jobs and flying. Every time I fly Southwest, I just feel like the people who work for that company actually LIKE it. Like they wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. And it’s one of the few Airlines that gives you both peanuts AND crackers! (while others have cut back). Not to mention they run a pretty decent blog and offer useful services like Ding. I actually think that the people who work for Southwest belong to some kind of cult where they worship some kind of mother ship aircraft or something.
Harley-Davidson
I think the people who work for Harley-Davidson are obsessed with—well Harleys. How do I know this? I toured their headquarters once. You should have seen the amount of Harleys in the parking lot. And everyone who was walking around the office just looked like they either rode, or they just loved the brand. Harley shirts, mugs, boots, pen holders, picture frames, mouse pads, the stuff was everywhere. And something told me that nowhere in the Harley corporate handbook is it mandatory to do any of these things. If you need more proof of Harley's obsession, just watch Birth of the V-Rod.
Mack Collier
I think my good friend Mack is obsessed with “the community” (and you know I mean this in a good way Mack). Mack is obsessed about creating community within the Social Network. He’s obsessed with pointing out where and when community happens. He’s ruthlessly focused on advancing the case for getting people (and companies) to use social tools in order to reach out and connect to each other. To build relationships in meaningful ways.
So these are just a few examples from my personal perspective. I don’t know if these companies or individuals are truly “obsessed”—but they definitely stand out. They put in unusual amounts of effort into their cause—whether it is product our community. They are not like the competition. Maybe that’s what obsession does. It makes you stand out. And a healthy kind of obsession can make your business stand out for all the right reasons.
