Price vs. Cost: Would You Really Shop for the Cheapest Brain Surgeon?

You’re told you need brain surgery. Would you shop around for the cheapest surgeon? Of course not. Your health—and your life—depend on the quality of that decision.

Now ask yourself: Why do we approach business decisions differently? We think we’re being smart by choosing the lowest price, but in reality, the cheapest option often costs us far more—especially in missed opportunities.

The True Cost of Cutting Corners

Just like you wouldn’t risk your life with a discount surgeon, why would you risk your business—the very thing that supports your future—by going for the cheapest solution?

Price is what you pay upfront. But cost is what happens when you sacrifice quality for price—inefficiencies, wasted time, and even bigger problems down the road. And then, there’s the cost of missed opportunity—the opportunities you miss out on because you’re tied up fixing cheap solutions.

Every time you choose a low-quality option to save money, you’re also choosing to spend time, energy, and resources fixing problems later. And while you’re doing that? You’re missing the chance to seize bigger, better opportunities. Opportunities that could push your business forward.

Cheap Isn’t Always Cheap

Imagine hiring a bargain consultant who promises quick fixes. You feel good about saving money. Six months later, you’ve lost valuable time, your problem isn’t solved, and now you need to hire someone else at an even higher cost.

Even worse, while you’re busy trying to solve this issue, you’re missing out on growth opportunities, potential clients, and better investments that could have made a real impact on your business.

In business, just like in life, quality matters. You wouldn’t trust your brain to someone who charges the lowest price—so why do that with decisions that impact your company’s future?

Ask Yourself These Questions:

• Am I thinking long-term or short-term? Is this decision going to benefit my business in the future, or am I just trying to solve an immediate problem with a band-aid?
• What’s the cost of missed opportunities? What opportunities are passing you by because you’re too busy fixing cheap decisions?
• How critical is this decision to my business? If it’s like brain surgery—high stakes and crucial to success—then shouldn’t I invest in the best?

Actionable Steps:

1. Identify your critical business areas. Where do you need to invest in quality to ensure long-term success? Don’t cut corners here.
2. Evaluate the hidden costs of cheap decisions. Before opting for a cheaper solution, ask yourself what the real cost will be over time in terms of productivity, lost opportunities, or wasted resources.
3. Focus on missed opportunities. Keep track of what you’re not doing while you’re dealing with the fallout of poor decisions. Could that time and energy be better spent on growth and scaling?

Remember: If you wouldn’t trust your brain to the lowest bidder, why trust your business to one? The right investment today can prevent major costs—and missed opportunities—down the road.

Keep building,

Adam House Sr.