Compare Apples To Apples

comparing apples to applesIt is natural to compare yourself to others and compare your company to others. It is a simple way to point out your strengths and to gauge your progress as to move toward goals. However, it is important when making comparisons to compare apples to apples. Major differences in what you are comparing can make your conclusions irrelevant at best and incorrect at worst.

An example is a recent article in a British newspaper comparing the London Underground and the NYC Subway. While the article touted the advantages of the London Underground, the two systems are not really comparable. The article ignored the fact that the NYC Subway has four times the amount of track and serves three quarters of a billion more people each year. As a result, the comparison was of no use.

A comparison is useful to provide a frame of reference. If someone is not familiar with you or your company, it is tempting to say it is like something they know. Instead of comparing directly, focus on what you do best. Talk about your strengths and don’t worry about a comparison. Each person and business is unique. You don’t know what goes on behind the scenes that makes someone else make decisions, so comparing them to you is irrelevant. Just be best you can and keep improving.

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