MBS Inspiration
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The MBS Group
is one of the world’s leading executive search firms operating exclusively in Retail, Consumer and relevant technologies, and the most successful sector-specialist firm in the UK
The paradox of choice
The former CEO of a FTSE 100 company, and a marketer by background, once recommended me a book called The Paradox of Choice, by Barry Schwartz. An interesting (if slightly theoretical) read, it basically says that less choice, rather than more, will make us all happier. This was borne out this week for Jon in my office, who has been struggling to choose between the vast array of hotels in Manhattan – he has a significant wedding anniversary coming up. A quality problem, you may think, but he says that the number, style and differing locations make it tricky to get a once-in-a-lifetime stay perfect – there’s so much pressure not to get it wrong! Meanwhile, overlay this with countless online reviews with completely divergent opinions, even on the same establishment, and Schwartz’s theory holds up pretty well.
On the one hand, Tripadvisor and their ilk certainly tell you “how it is” and expose poor standards. As the MD of a restaurant business told me this week: “You serve a bad meal or give bad service and, before you know it, it’s all over the internet!”. Accounting for people’s differing tastes is quite another matter: one man’s “charming shabby chic” is another’s “old, tired and tatty”. And the hotel I recommended to Jon was described as “a disco with rooms”!
Talking of reviews, whether on food, gadgets, holidays or books, I’m a complete junkie! And the latest book I read, Start It Up, by entrepreneur and private equity mogul Luke Johnson, was actually made more appealing to me by a review I read of it by Richard Reed, co-founder of Innocent Drinks. I won’t give you a review of the book myself, but I would say that it is a thoroughly inspiring read. An unabashed ode to entrepreneurship, it’s neither balanced nor impartial, but who cares! In amongst “how-to” guides, quotes from the good and the great and injunctions to “just do it!”, there are a few nuggets that just hit the spot. My favourite line in the book is as idealistic as it is simple: “Happiness in your career is about independence and freedom, and vital engagement with one’s craft in a productive way”. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or salaried employee, the second half of the sentence at the very least should be something to aim for. Luke also says that we all have more career choices than we think, the main one being starting up your own concern. In this case, more choice is not inhibiting, it’s liberating.
If you have any recommendations of where to stay in Manhattan, please send them through! moira@thembsgroup.co.uk.
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