Stick to the Basics

I've abandoned my online shopping cart nine times out of ten while shopping on the Saxx website. While I live by their underwear, swimsuits, and other gear, four minutes into my shopping experience is where I usually give up due to overwhelm. 

Faced with too many styles, colours, and an overly complex website, the whole experience becomes paralyzing, and I do not bother to complete the purchase.

I was struck by the opposite phenomenon last night at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Watching the servers operate quickly and purposefully, It was impressive how streamlined and efficient their entire process was. Happy servers on the move bringing a steady flow of pasta and bread to the masses. 

It was clear that the Old Spaghetti Factory’s success was rooted in simplicity, including a basic menu with a few key features to choose from. Not only that, Olive and Hazel both proclaimed that it was the best salad they had ever eaten, yet the cost of their meal was cheaper than fast food… $8.50… What the what?!

It’s a lesson that translates beyond the kitchen. Knowing your audience and delivering what they actually want, without overcomplicating things, is a winning strategy. 

Stick to the basics, serve your market, and do it well. 

Most of the time, less really is more.

• Now that’s a peak ethos.