Customer Service Still King

Inc. offers 10 Reasons Customers Will Pay More

Chief among them are reasons of convenience (lower transaction costs & quicker turnaround). In the world of overnight delivery, how do you think you'll come out ahead with a "please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery" disclaimer?

Also important to the customer is signaling (the status-symbol effect), but there are longer term considerations. If you promise less work in the long run, the customer will choose your product. Forget about the rainbow of colors, low-maintenance functionality is how Apple really retains so many customers, at least on the Mac front.  

And here's why branding is still key:

Customers are human and humans prefer doing business with their friends.  That's one good reason that developing rapport is so crucial in customer relationships; it provides a buffer that keeps the competition at pay.

If a customer knows your story -- and your mission! -- she'll feel like she knows you. This is how you earn brand loyalty.

the best leaders are usually humble

Are women more likely to adopt more effective leadership strategies than men? This post at the HBR blog discusses leadership qualities and suggests that women are more likely to "approach problem-solving in a more flexible and creative way."

The analysis of gender differences is interesting, but the key finding, in my mind, is this:

Arrogance and overconfidence are inversely related to leadership talent — the ability to build and maintain high-performing teams, and to inspire followers to set aside their selfish agendas in order to work for the common interest of the group. Indeed, whether in spots, politics or business, the best leaders are usually humble.