The Art of Choosing

The challenge is that we are presented with an explosion of choices. Prof. Iyengar’s Columbia Business School team ran a test at a retail store. Two jams displays were set up next to each other, one with 24 varieties of jams and the other with only six. More people stopped at the table with 24 jams, but only 3% bought something, while despite getting less foot traffic, 30% of the people who stopped at the table with six jams bought something. So while people were more attracted to greater choice, they preferred buying when they were presented fewer options. Are our eyes are too big for our minds? How many choices can we really handle? Prof Iyengar numerous studies has led her to assert that the magical number is in fact seven (+ or – 2).  So beyond seven choices, one gets confused. So choice is essentially about comparing bundles of info– if we are faced with too many, we procrastinate, we make inconsistent choices, and we ultimately become less satisfied.

Prof. Iyengar’s talk captivated me and it has forced me to reflect on my own decision making approach. As I engage with customers, employees and entrepreneurs, I look for opportunities to apply the 4Cs…in an investor pitch, in defining a GTM plan, in increasing customer engagement and improving a customer experience…so we have to give choices in a responsible way– in a way that can improve choosing experiences and help encourage better choice outcomes.

If you want to learn more, I encourage you to read Prof. Iyengar’s book, The Art of Choosing.