From the Get Go (Do it right the first time)

Daniel Howes has a nice column in today's Detroit News about Ford and automobile manufacturing (yes I am of two minds about automobiles, if they're going to be manufactured, I want Michigan-based companies to be successful...). From the column, "A bold move for Ford: Do it right the first time":

As Ford Motor Co. launches yet another ad strategy -- "Bold Moves" -- how 'bout adding a sorely needed kicker: "Do it right the first time." They did it last year with the red-hot Mustang... They did it two years ago with the F-150 pickups...That's why half-steps on credible products like the Fusion midsize (anymore torque in that 3-liter engine?) or missteps on its Lincoln Zephyr (which next year becomes the MKZ) or no step at all with the Five Hundred sedan and Focus compact are so galling.

My point here is about half-steps, missteps, and no steps.

I use the phrase "Do it Right the First Time" all the time, especially with regard to non-profits and commercial district revitalization. The big thing that the Main Street revitalization model pushes is incrementalism. (Click here for the eight guiding principles: #2 is incrementalism)

I am all for small changes that build, but I get into arguments with people over things like wanting to publicize a really crappy website "because we need to get something out there, and they'll appreciate that we're trying, and we can improve it later."

I counter that you get few chances and that people compare your efforts to other efforts that they are already familiar with--whether or not it's produced by for-profits or non-profits, it doesn't matter in the the eyes of the customer or potential customer.

If you don't measure up, your potential customers go elsewhere.

It might take longer, especially because most of us are volunteers, but quality really matters. (E.g., I was quite proud that the presentation I produced and gave to the Historic Preservation Review Board last week was comparable to the "paid for by the developer" presentation made by EHT Traceries immediately before us--although they used one special effect--a kind of dissolve--that we didn't use...)

Do it right the first time. Step up. And remember that Main Street Principle #6: Quality; really matters. (Frankly the principles should be re-ordered, and "Quality" should be #1.)

Index Keywords: urban-revitalization