When I order vendo-dispensed softdrinks from any fastfood chain, I cant help but make a special request of "no ice". Why? I can't let myself be robbed of 10% of the softdrink contents in exchange for relatively worthless ice. Why not? Because, even without the ice, the drink is really cold enough.
A chinese proverb goes something like this: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Once upon a time I left a fastfood chain with my empty soda cup with a lot of ice. Much wiser now, I leave with the softdrinks safe in my tummy and "no ice" on the cup.
I have heard this at least twice: Mang Inasal is being considered as a serious threat by Jollibbee. It will not be surprising if this is true as Mang Inasal came out of the blue in 2003 (or green as its brand colors go) to build as many as 263 stores as of today and aiming to have 500 stores by 2012. (Source: http://www.manginasal.com/mi/about.html). To put Mang Inasal's phenomenal growth in perspective, McDonald's started in 1981 and has over 300 stores (http://www.mcdonalds.com.ph/). Jollibbee, the leader, started in 1978 and has over 600 local and 50 international stores (http://www.jollibee.com.ph/index.php?/about_us/contents/1).
What's the differentiator? Surprisingly, the battle is not on the chicken but on the "unlimited rice". This "eat all you can offer" on the rice has touched the hearts and stomachs of a lot of Filipinos. So, you dont have to be the best on everything, and perhaps the essential learning here is that you should be at least "unbeatable" on 1 thing.
So, what's your "no ice" (something you can do without) and "unlimited rice" (your competitive advantage which you absolutely can't live without).
Interesting thought, I agree that Mang Inasal's competitive advantage lies not in their chicken but on the "unlimited rice"
ReplyDeleteAs for my "no ice" something that I can do without is the soda itself, Recently I was able to enjoy dining out even without the cola, relating it to my professional career, Selling to my clients. I notice that my clients' "no ice" to me is the "inuman" that even without treating them to "inuman" or "lasingan" I was still able to turn them into my key accounts.
My "unlimited rice" to them is my unparalleled support and sincerity in serving them. I make it a point to go out my way in providing service to their needs even if it is not in my work description.
My free ice is being open minded to change and being creative. I can't stop doing what I'm passionate about like a new comer with fresh energy. I think with this idea I am no ice but I'm not something like usual rice, I am a gourmet rice that is free.
ReplyDeleteMy unlimited rice is G.W.A.P.A. K.O. - Good Will and Peace Advocate Kaye Olivar and this can be done through my daily interactions in life, in my career as bank officer and in my personal life. Being G.W.A.P.A. K.O. must be reflected at all times.
ReplyDeleteMy no ice is coffee, I can surpass a restless day even without drinking coffee. I can find the stimulant within to keep me going.
I constantly challenge myself to become better in all aspects - whether it be in business, work, sports, family, etc. I try to learn from my mistakes, do what I can and leave the results to the Man above.
ReplyDeleteNo Ice: Negativity and pessimism. I always try to look at the positives in every situation and have the "glass half-full" approach to things. I believe having an optimistic attitude makes your problems easier to bear and thus makes everyday living more purposeful and enjoyable.
My Unlimited Rice is my passion about basketball. This has something to do with my personal brand as Sporty Joridan Paul Bautista. I am an avid fan of basketball since I was a child and I believe I will continue to spread my knowledge about basketball to my grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteMy No Ice is the unnecessary things that I possess. I believe I can live happily even though these are not present. For me, these are just temporary happiness given to us that can vanish anytime.
My "unlimited rice" is my work flexibility as a professional. Being a "Jack of all trade". I can be what I need to be in company. I have experienced almost all position in an organization. I've been part of different departments such as production, quality control, sales, customer service, supply chain, banking, a little of accounting and training. I have also excelled as a subordinate and as a superior, because I always believe on my self. I know when to be a leader and when to be a team player.
ReplyDeleteMy no ice would have to be insincere conversations. Conversations does not have to be always technical or meaningful, but conversations always has to have sincerity. I would rather stay quiet than be in a conversation full of pretentions.
My unlimited rice is believing that I can do anything with faith in myself and in God. I’m very optimistic in my daily tribulations – may it be at home, work, or school. This has a tremendous effect in my life. I’m very passionate with what I do and I believe that my unlimited rice is helps me end the day productively with a big smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteMy no ice is dessert. I love sweets and I prefer to end every meal with something sweet. However, I can go about any day without having one and this would have no effect on how I go about my day. With dessert or no dessert, I can still be very productive.
Unlimited rice is that I am trying to do thing best with top passion, and develop my potential ability
ReplyDeleteNo ice, balanced my heart
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ReplyDeleteMy unlimited rice is being gogo ...living a good life with God as the center. My no ice is that i can go with out is my sometimes i forget my self during pressure
ReplyDeleteMy unlimited rice is being a forward thinker. I try my best not to just look at the repercussions of my previous actions but also my future decisions.
ReplyDeleteMy no ice, I get over analyze every decision in effect hampers my ability to act upon the given task
My no ice is people greeting you when you enter a store or restaurant. I prefer being in stealth mode.
ReplyDeleteMy unlimited rice is my passion for nerd activities like reading, writing, and video games.
My unlimited rice is my strong desire to share new knowledge to people who I think would benefit from them.
ReplyDeleteMy no ice would be the tendency of people to micromanage things. I don't like it when I am being micromanaged, and I make it a point to avoid this pothole when I'm the one calling the shots.
My "unlimited rice" is my thinking power and the value and accessibility of information for me, just because without that I'll be walking in the dark not knowing where I am, losing opportunities.
ReplyDeleteMy "no ice" is breakability towards comments which will kill my mood instead of helping me make the right move. There is a big difference between being criticizable and being vulnerable. I hope the first will be my reaction to critiques and will help me towards improving.
My “unlimited rice” is my constant desire to move up in position in my office work and my business to prosper and become more stable. I want to accumulate more money as possible to allow me to supply the needs of my family and give more to my charity work.
ReplyDeleteMy “no ice” is erroneous reports from staff. I always expect my staffs to deliver well prepared and accurate reports before I sign on them specially those that have penalties and those submitted to management for decision-making.
My “no ice” will be smoking. I love it, I enjoyed it and I craved for it… but I can live and survive without it.
ReplyDeleteMy “unlimited rice” is my sales and marketing professional career. I don’t think I could live doing nothing in life (even if I had won that Php741M Jackpot Lotto price and became insanely rich). I have to use the skills and experience I got from my professional career.
Unlimited rice
ReplyDelete> This would be my passion for success. I'm a natural perfectionist, but I know that life's not perfect.. so I'd make sure that in whatever I pursue in life, I will do everything I can to be the best, at least to be close to perfection. :)
No ice
> Negativity. I sometimes tend to look at things at the worst angle possible. But I'm working on eradicating this behavior. So I'd like to say that I can definitely live without it.