High Standards, High Returns: The Hidden Factor That Brings Success
What if the key to long-term growth and high returns isn’t a flashy strategy or cutting-edge tool but something far simpler—and maybe even a little boring?
Standards.
Yes, really!
There is some logic to this… Hang tight!
A Fascinating dinner conversation
Recently, my family and I ate out at one of our favorite restaurants, part of a national chain known for a great meal every time — super consistent.
And our dinnertime conversation was about… standards! (This is what happens when your family is all strategic thinkers.)
We were impressed that no matter which location we visited, the food was consistently high quality. Every time!
Slowing down to speed up
It’s no surprise this restaurant is packed every time. Customers trust it to deliver a great experience—and that’s the power of standards in action.
Standards might sound boring, but they’re essential. They help teams know exactly what’s expected, allow managers to enforce quality consistently, and give customers a reason to return.
Outstanding standards become a competitive advantage.
When standards reach an outstanding level, the organization’s reputation for quality becomes a competitive advantage.
Customers know they can count on an exceptional experience every time, which attracts even more business.
Reflection
Standards range from No Standards to Gold Standards. (See the video above for more details.)
How do you move up the ladder to the ultimate Gold Standard?
Start by asking your team: “How are our standards?”
Are our current standards helping us grow sustainably?
Or are they holding us back?
Discussing this openly just might help you discover strengths and highlight areas for improvement.
Whether you’re just beginning to set standards or fine-tuning them for peak performance, standards aren’t just rules. They’re the key to reliability, customer loyalty, and scalable success.
