A Better Way

In the elementary and secondary school I attended, there was a quote on the wall that has stuck with me: "Good, Better, Best: Never let it rest, until good becomes better and better becomes best." Looking at some of the best companies that made their name in recent years, their founders also set out to find a better way.  They set some of the best examples of finding a better way.  It is this drive to innovate that makes humans thrive.

Starbucks founder Howard Schulz outlines in his book that he wanted his customers to have 'a better coffee experience' in his stores, from the smell, to how the baristas make the drink in front of you.  Even if today, with thousands of stores, the experience may not be as consistent, but the idea is there: a better way.

Netflix initially set out to find a better way than what Blockbuster had to offer.  And then they offered a better way to delivery TV shows.  I may not fully buy into the idea as they are totally dependent on bandwidth providers, but still, for some, it is a better alternative to traditional cable.

Tesla thinks that a bunch of heavy batteries is a better way.  It may not work for some who can only afford one car that will serve both as a commuter and a long distance road trip vehicle.  Or some may think that lugging around all that weight isn't really the best way.  But still, until that next idea, Elon Musk thinks that he has a better alternative to the internal combustion engine.

Jeff Bezos knows that there's a better way to shop.  And he thinks there is a better way to deliver products.  And Whole Foods thinks there's a better way to buy groceries, and a better choice for what to eat.

Not everybody will agree with these companies that they are the best.  That is why there is competition.  The common thread is that each of these companies are finding better ways to do things.  And that, to me, is a great thing.  Always find a better way.  There's got to be a better way.