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Choice Quote by Michael Ruhlman

“More troubling is that when faced with an array of complex options,” the article says, “consumers tend to throw reason out the window and pick a product based on what’s easiest to evaluate, not what’s most important, says Sheena Iyengar, director of the Global Leadership Matrix Program at the…” quote by Michael Ruhlman
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““More troubling is that when faced with an array of complex options,” the article says, “consumers tend to throw reason out the window and pick a product based on what’s easiest to evaluate, not what’s most important, says Sheena Iyengar, director of the Global Leadership Matrix Program at the Columbia (University) Business School. ‘We stick to the familiar or go by price because we don’t want to deal with so many choices and scrutinize label claims or nutrition information,’ she says.””

Michael Ruhlman

About This Quote

Source Article: Consumer Decision Making, Harvard Business Review, 2023

People often abandon rational analysis when faced with many choices, opting for the simplest or cheapest option instead of the most beneficial.

In simple terms: Too many options lead to lazy, familiar choices.

Key Takeaway

Simplify decisions and prioritize what truly matters.

Themes

choice overload consumer behavior decision fatigue

Mood

analytical pragmatic

Type

advice observational

When to use this quote

  • shopping
  • meal planning
  • investment choices
  • product selection

Key Concepts

behavioral economics heuristics marketing

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you decide when to simplify?
  • What criteria help you choose quality over ease?
A Different Perspective

Simplifying can reduce stress but may overlook better options.

3.7 out of 5 (6 ratings)

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