Brainstorms

The Weird Mathematical Rule that Makes Decision-Making Easy

Look at the first 37% of options and then make your choice.

Published

6 years ago

June 23, 2020

INSTORE Staff Instore July 2020 Issue

Looking for a new sales associate? Go full-on nerd and try the “37% Rule,” which basically says that when you need to screen a range of options in a limited amount of time — be they candidates for a job or potential romantic partners — it’s a weird mathematical truth that the best time to make a decision is when you’ve looked at 37 percent of those options. (If none is right, pick the next one that is better than the first 37 percent.) According to an article in Lecture Notes In Economics And Mathematical Systems, this approach can be applied to just about any such sequential scenario — from choosing a mate, to a new store location.

How Howes Diamond Jewelers Closed a Location — and Opened the Door to What's Next

Dan Howes grew up in his family's jewelry business, eventually taking the helm of two locations his father launched in 1964. When it came time to consolidate, he turned to Wilkerson. "It was a pretty easy decision," Howes says, citing the company's strong reputation and a friend's successful experience. Wilkerson's proven sales roadmap delivered — meeting projected financial goals and guiding the process every step of the way. "This is their profession. They have it dialed in."