David Brady Helps

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The most strategic decision you will make this week.

Two lights are lit. They signal opportunity.
The two lights are positioned above two distinct lanes.
In each lane is someone like you.

Someone just trying to get through and get home.
Like you, they don't want to wait.
Like you, they are hoping the person attending to the line moves fast.

Like you, they did the dance you are about to do:

Which grocery check out line do you join?

Think about the data points that people like you consider when it comes to check out lines:

  • Who is in front of me?

  • Are they holding their wallet out now or are they fishing for it?

  • Are they the type of person who will talk with the cashier?

  • Did they purchase the whole store?

  • Who is the cashier?

  • Are they clearly getting paid by the hour?

  • Are they chit-chatting?

  • Does the conveyor belt appear to be moving the items along a fast pace? Which line has a better looking conveyor belt?

But I think the most important decision is...

"If I get into Line A, and Line B moves faster, should I switch?"

What is the risk of picking a lane and staying in it?
Why put so much effort into a check out line?
What if we re-invested that level of executive strategic decision making into how we spend our time once we're home?