Mediocrity vs Excellence.
Mediocrity
vs
Excellence
Our primary concern with the Scores on Doors program is that it disguises a measure of mediocrity as a measure of excellence. In any other scenario, a 5-star rating signifies exceptional quality and a customer will expect it to be the best it could possibly be. However, with the Scores on Doors system, a 5-star rating simply indicates compliance with most of the legal standards that a restaurant is required to meet.
Perhaps it would be more accurate if the certificates look like this:
By using an already understood system like the 5-star rating, the program elevates an acceptable performance to the status of exceptional. Why is this an issue? There are 3 main reasons.
Our primary concern with the Scores on Doors program is that it disguises a measure of mediocrity as a measure of excellence.
By using an already understood system like the 5-star rating, the program elevates an acceptable performance to the status of exceptional. Why is this an issue? There are 3 main reasons.
#1
As mentioned earlier what might be considered subpar elsewhere is deemed average. In most rating systems, a 3-star rating signifies an average performance, a standard or a passing grade however Using Scores on Doors, 3 stars is the lowest score that is possibly displayed.
#1
As mentioned earlier what might be considered subpar elsewhere is deemed average. In most rating systems, a 3-star rating signifies an average performance, a standard or a passing grade however Using Scores on Doors, 3 stars is the lowest score that is possibly displayed.
#2
There is a lack of motivation for restaurants to strive for true exceptionalism. There is no incentive for a restaurant to invest in state-of-the-art technology, exceptional staff training, or automated hand-washing dispensers. Nothing is pushing restaurants to be better than just acceptable.
#2
There is a lack of motivation for restaurants to strive for true exceptionalism. There is no incentive for a restaurant to invest in state-of-the-art technology, exceptional staff training, or automated hand-washing dispensers. Nothing is pushing restaurants to be better than just acceptable.
#3
The system hides failure. In the majority of cases, there is no obligation for a restaurant that scores below 3 stars to take corrective action. Perhaps a more transparent approach would include signs like:
#3
The system hides failure. In the majority of cases, there is no obligation for a restaurant that scores below 3 stars to take corrective action.
Even restaurants with a 3 or 4-star rating are not compelled to display their performance. The voluntary nature of this system undermines its effectiveness—it fails to address and penalise those it aims to regulate. In essence, it becomes a lose/lose situation, lacking the ability to both reward excellence or penalise failure.
Even restaurants with a 3 or 4-star rating are not compelled to display their performance. The voluntary nature of this system undermines its effectiveness—it fails to address and penalise those it aims to regulate. In essence, it becomes a lose/lose situation, lacking the ability to both reward excellence or penalise failure.
So what wins?
So what wins?
Mediocrity
In essence, the current system rewards businesses for meeting the minimum requirements, as achieving a 5-star rating only requires meeting the expected baseline.
Without additional efforts, establishments can still maximize profits while the lack of incentives for exceptional performance discourages going above and beyond.
On the other hand, if a restaurant falls short or fails, there’s no requirement to disclose these results. Customers typically don’t seek out scores, and even if they see a 3-star rating, it may not impact business significantly. Most people would likely assume that 3 stars mean average. This setup promotes complacency and doesn’t motivate establishments to aim for higher standards.
In essence, the current system rewards businesses for meeting the minimum requirements, as achieving a 5-star rating only requires meeting the expected baseline. Without additional efforts, establishments can still maximize profits while the lack of incentives for exceptional performance discourages going above and beyond.
On the other hand, if a restaurant falls short or fails, there’s no requirement to disclose these results. Customers typically don’t seek out scores, and even if they see a 3-star rating, it may not impact business significantly. Most people would likely assume that 3 stars mean average. This setup promotes complacency and doesn’t motivate establishments to aim for higher standards.