“Excellence is a function of uniqueness.” -credo from Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan
“The great law of life is to be yourself. Though this axiom sounds simple it is often a difficult task. To be yourself you have to learn how to become the person you were dreamed to be. … What are you called to do? In old-fashioned language: what is your vocation in life? When you find that what you are doing is what you love, what you were brought here to do, it makes for a rich and contented life. You have come into the rhythm with your longing. Your work and your action emerge naturally: you don’t have to force yourself. Your energy is immediate. Your passion is clear and creative. A new calling can open the door into the house of your vision and belonging. You feel at home in your life.” -John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book Of Blessings
Ari Weinzweig, Co-founding Partner of Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan, writes a fantastic weekly newsletter. It’s chock full of delicious food for thought (and food to make). In a recent issue, he laid out four guideposts to effective differentiation. They are as follows.
- Differentiate via Your Vision
- Differentiate via Your Products and Services
- Differentiate via Look and Feel
- Differentiate by Continually Recreating the Gap Between What You Do and What Your Competition Does
While he’s writing from his personal experience of creating and running Zingerman’s for over forty years, these guideposts apply for anything you’re passionate to do.
I encourage you to check out the full issue here. He goes into great detail and provides substantive context and great links to learn more. All of which will get you thinking and more importantly, move into action.
The Vs. Studio Blog 