What if we're NOT the Greatest Country and KISS Wasn't the hottest band in the world?

Being the best is an interesting concept. "The US is the greatest country in the world" is something I hear said, and have said with all the confidence we can muster. When I think about that phrase, I don't know that I've ever based that statement on any stats. In fact, I've only been to three other countries, so out of 200 or so countries in the world, my research is pretty limited.

What makes this interesting is our need to be the best. What if the US isn't the best country in the world? Is that ok? I'm still happy here and most of the people I'm in contact with on a daily basis are happy here. Is that enough?

If I look at this from a Marketing angle, is it ok if a company or business I work with isn't the best? I don't always choose the best company for my products or services. Sometimes it's because I can't afford it, or I can't wait for it, or other factors that cause me to choose the "pretty good" option. As I look around my house, I have rarely chose the best for anything in my home. (My wife is the exception!) Our house is nice and we have great things. It's an awesome spot to be, but it's not the best. It's just the best for us.

Growing up, my first record (yes the vinyl 33s - I'm old) was KISS Alive I've been to multiple KISS concerts and at the beginning of every concert, before the lights would come up, there would be this big booming announcement; "YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST. THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD... KISS!" Then there would be an explosion with fireworks and the lights come up with the band on stage and playing their first song. It's quite a spectacle and very entertaining. They are still one of my favorite bands and put on a concert like no other band out there. But to unequivocally state they are the best; well, I'd have a hard case to make. This doesn't change the fact that I paid to go see them multiple times. KISS Live at Tiger Stadium 1996

Being the best is hard too. It takes a lot of work to be the best and there may be times when you just don't see the ROI for the work involved in being the best versus the actual payoff once you achieve it. At some point many of us see the hill in front of us to become the best and we just quit. Therefore, we are pretty good, but not the best. It doesn't mean we can't be the best, but we must not see the ROI. Many times being pretty good is good enough. This is not to say you shouldn't try to be the best. You and your company need to decide what you're going to be the best at or what parts you're going to do better than everyone else.

I'd love to hear about your experience with the best! What companies or people have you done life with that are the BEST!