Jeff Steele, Business Writer and Author

As most of us know these days that many brands are actually the same product.  They are branded with a logo or label but the design and components are the same.

Yet, though the design and components are the same each unit is given a label.  Model numbers, serial numbers, MAC address, series number, UIN, whatever the tag maybe it helps us know one from the other. We may even become brand loyal.  Think Nike vs UnderArmour.

We tend to gravitate to specific brands for any number of reasons. Maybe we favor something because we had a good experience with it. Perhaps we reject trying another product since we previously had a bad experience with the brand.  We may even refuse to give something a chance because others gave it a bad review.  

Engineers, quality control, and product testers all can testify that even though each unit is built on the same platform, on same assembly line, using the same components, the benchmark performances differ from one another.

Some perform a bit faster, disipate heat better, some fail sooner, others last longer, for no apparent reason. 

The understanding of each other and of ourselves begins when we remove the labels.  If we peel away the branding. If you take away my name, if you disregard my zip code, I do still exist, I’m still human, I will temain unique, and I am still me. 

And I am happy that you are you.