Value-Unique, Not Value-Added
Last week, I had the immense privilege of a personal phone conversation with consultant, speaker, and bestselling author Chip R. Bell. If you don’t know Chip and why I was so excited to talk with him, let me tell you a little about him. Chip R. Bell and the term “value-unique, not value-added” are synonymous. He purports that offering something different, rather than offering something more, is the wave of marketing.
Chip has been speaking and writing about companies, thinking through the lens of customers for decades. Kaleidoscope and Inside Your Customer’s Imagination are his latest books. In them, you will find countless examples of how you can make your customers’ experiences more memorable, more unique.
At Forbes.com, Chip writes fresh articles on the value-unique topic. He encourages businesses, authors, and entrepreneurs to create an element of surprise. Chip’s challenge to companies is to develop a culture that encourages customer loyalty. Make yourself stand out by adding unique value to whatever you are selling.
In our phone conversation, Chip gave me some brilliant suggestions as a new blogger and author. He said a well-written blog is insightful and encouraging, that blogs should have catchy titles, unique graphics that relate to the topic, and include hyperlinks to other bloggers or writers. Blogs should conclude with a call to action. He suggested I write shorter blogs and start a newsletter, mentioning that newsletters should be “newsy,” and informative with lots of graphics and photos.
Chip also suggested entrepreneurs and writers read:
- Seth Godin’s blog and books, especially Tribes, and Chip’s favorite, Purple Cow,
- Monster Loyalty: How Lady Gaga Turns Followers into Fanatics by Jackie Huba, and
- Sidetracked: Two Women, Two Cameras, and Lunches on Sherman’s Trail by Milam McGraw Propst and Jaclyn Weldon White.
Even though Chip has been teaching the concept of “value-unique versus value-added” for years, this concept is still unique and effective. If you read Chip’s books or articles, or anything he suggested here, please tell me what you learned. Also, if you have an example of a company who practices value-unique strategies, please share it in the comments section. That one comment you share may spark a value-unique idea in someone else.
One more thing:
Chip, along with Beverly Armento (see Beverly Armento A Life of Joy and Resilience), Dan Blanchard, and Patti Phillips, Ph.D., wrote an endorsement for my book. You can see the short version on the back cover of Finding Joy in the West, and the full endorsement on the first page. My book will be available on April 1, 2025 (no joke). Stay tuned for shorter blogs and a Finding Joy newsletter if I can pull those ideas off. As always, thanks for your support. I’d love to hear your value-unique ways to find joy.
March 21, 2025 @ 8:47 am
Such an interesting thought on what companies/organizations can focus on! I think about this in the context of churches too: How the leaders focus on the concerns of those in their congregations.
March 22, 2025 @ 7:47 pm
Yes. I bet the value-unique concept can be carried to any number of situations if we would sit back and think about it.
Thanks for sharing.
March 21, 2025 @ 10:01 am
Your blog regarding value brought back fond memories of my years at Jameson Inns…my last job pre-retirement .
Remind me to share details, for now here’s a summary.
I was part of their “first ever” built Jameson Inn in 1988 and worked until the final sale of the entire company…. 2015
One location grown to 135 locations!
They were truly a group of talented individuals who practiced EXACTLY what Chip speaks about….
Thank you for sharing and reminding me of my own experiences in working for Jameson Inns ❤️complete with fond memories of two extremely talented people.
Happy Friday
Enjoy your day my friend!
March 22, 2025 @ 7:45 pm
What a great story, Lynna. I had no idea Jameson Inn was not a chain in 1988. It had the look and feel of a chain right from the beginning. And you were there from beginning to end? So cool. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to hearing the details.
March 21, 2025 @ 3:58 pm
I love the “value-unique” of this blog that reminds us of the “old-fashioned” concept of working together for everyone’s benefit. It proclaims loudly the error of the “me” thinking so often seen not just in individuals but in companies. Others shared with you and encouraged you all along your journey. You in turn share what you learned from them. Each of them, and your readers, are encouraged and blessed by the “community” approach to life and the many successes along the way.
March 22, 2025 @ 7:42 pm
The “old-fashioned” concept. Well said, Ardie. What a concept.
April 2, 2025 @ 1:11 pm
Hi! Bought your book! Looking forward to reading it.
April 2, 2025 @ 4:17 pm
Excellent! Thank you.