Civilization of White-Label product
One Saturday afternoon, I was conversing with my partner(
) while having lunch at a food court in a shopping mall.We secured our seats with the view of McDonald’s, which had a long queue, while other shops were serving only a few customers.
As we were looking at McDonald’s was serving customers, my partner told me about civilization and culture. I integrated his insights into my thoughts when I was working on While-Label products, which aim to emulate the success of franchise companies worldwide. We create out-of-the-box products with standard functionalities and consistent experiences in a short time to assist as many clients as possible, all while striving for maximum margins as a business.
Arnold Toynbee, a philosopher of history, pondered the difference between civilization and culture. He characterized civilization as something that functions universally, regardless of location — from simple items like pen and paper to modern technologies like smartphones. On the other hand, culture resists relocation, manifesting in unique experiences like gelato in Italy and sushi in Tokyo.
The anthropologist David Graeber viewed culture as people’s resistance to change, emphasizing that authentic cultural experiences are rooted in defiance. Therefore, experiencing gelato in Italy or sushi in Tokyo is inherently cultural. You cannot transport that experience anywhere. Those things are generally cultural, which is what Toynbee, the historian, said.
If I had dinner at a McDonald’s, would I be civilized or cultured?
According to Toynbee, I’m civilized.
Thus, a white-label or out-of-the-box product brings a sense of civilization to our customers, reminiscent of the standardized offerings of global franchises like McDonald’s. Unlike local restaurants that offer dishes with unique regional ingredients, some of these establishments try to provide familiar options that streamline decision-making processes.
Nevertheless, white-label product suppliers are increasingly striving to offer flexible bespoke solutions, mirroring the efforts of companies seeking to replicate ‘cultural’ tastes in distant locations. While products can be standardized like stamps, the cultural context surrounding their use may vary, significantly influencing the overall experience.
Moreover, the ‘culture’ of a white-label product may encompass specific laws and regulations that differ between countries, underscoring an additional layer of cultural complexity in the digital realm.
(Edited by ChatGPT.)
