We are creatures of habit and past experience. When we go to the market to purchase an item, we can anticipate that any given category of item will be packaged in a particular manner.

Eggs will most likely be in the familiar egg cartons made of styrofoam or cardboard. Milk will be in a plastic bottle or plasticized cardboard container. Bread will most likely be in a plastic bag, etc.

Every once in a while, though, someone breaks the mold and presents a “better idea.” They are “thinking outside the box” or in this case, outside of the package.

Seth Godin is an author known across the world for his innovative ideas, thinking outside the box on a regular basis and explaining to others how they can become better at whatever it is they are trying to do in life.

I read Seth’s Blog on a regular basis and, I encourage you to read it as well. I am sure you will find a number of things that are interesting.

On August 28, Mr. Godin posted “The strawberry conundrum” which caught my eye because it seems to hold lessons for us yet, at its core, it is a very simple idea.

Here is The Strawberry Conundrum as it appeared on Seth Godin’s blog:

“Every grocer has to decide: when packing a quart of strawberries, should your people put the best ones on top?

If you do, you’ll sell more and disappoint people when they get to the moldy ones on the bottom.

Or, perhaps you could put the moldy ones on top, and pleasantly surprise the few that buy.

Or, you could rationalize that everyone expects a little hype, and they’ll get over it.

A local grocer turned the problem upside down: He got rid of the boxes and just put out a pile of strawberries. People picked their own. He charged more, sold more and made everyone happier.

Hype might not be your best option.”