Solutions Talk

Thoughts on being...

Working in the office today - getting caught up on the mundane--as well as the exciting, interesting and pressing matters ahead. Thankful for loving family and friends. Appreciative of our loyal clients. Am eager to find new opportunities to serve through our work this week.

Preparing for another week of travel and meetings, I am reminded of the insightful words of Dr. Seuss from his classic "Oh, the Places You'll Go!": “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

Where were you on 9/11/01? I was going Disney World...

I was drinking a Diet Coke onboard a Delta Jet - 15 minutes outside the Orlando International Airport on a sunny Tuesday morning, as the unthinkable was happening in New York and DC. Heading into Orlando a day or so ahead of the group of 100+ business people who were coming into the city to participate in a business learning experience I was leading with help from Disney Institute facilitators.

We were set to start the meeting on September 12th. The meeting never happened--as many of the participants had their flights diverted or cancelled. Only 3 of us made the trip into Orlando that day - and spent the evening at the "closed" Park (closed due to security concerns for only the second time in 30 years of operation) watching Disney's "The Kid" - starring Bruce Willis and occupying our respective lodging - along with 2 dozen others - and waiting to learn what would happen next...

Fat-heads rejoice!

Note: The "Better Burger" category is the fastest growth area in fast-casual restaurants today. I found this article (a couple of years old) that helps explain the phenomena in Neuroscience terms.

A quote worth noting: “Digesting fatty foods enhances memory consolidation using the same neural pathway as emotional learning.” - Darya Pino, Scientist/foodie/blogger.

If you've never heard of Five Guys -the QSR Chain that has opened 300+ stores over the past 5 years...start listening...and looking for one. Boasting a "fresh and simple" menu, they are a burger-lover-on-a-budget's version of paradise.

If you are guilt-ridden at the notion of consuming copious amounts of red meat, white flour and starch--washed down with sugary carbonated beverages--take heart! Consuming fats, sugar and caffeine may help (at least for a few moments) you to learn...

For more on the topic, and more about Five Guys - read on. The Neuromarketing of Burgers

A Real, Refreshing and Relevant Experience!

"Those businesses that relegate themselves to the diminishing world of goods and services will be rendered irrelevant. To avoid this fate, you must learn to stage a rich, compelling experience."

This statement from authors Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore is one, that if heeded, can help virtually any business avoid the commoditization of their offerings--a downward spiral, which ultimately leads to irrelevance. I recently read the updated version of "The Experience Economy" (following 15 readings of the original version). As I immersed myself in the pages, I was deeply impressed with the way in which the authors were able to retain the integrity of the original book, while expanding
on existing examples of experience stagers, and adding new, dynamic examples of companies who have transitioned from selling goods and delivering services--to staging experiences. They have done an incredible job of "refreshing" the experience for this reader and practioner of their work.

The updated edition is an appropriate "Act II" to the original TEE The Experience Economy: Work Is Theater & Every Business a Stage, which was named one of the 100 Best Business Books of All Time by CEO ReadsThe 100 Best Business Books of All Time: What They Say, Why They Matter, and How They Can Help You. This refreshing reading experience is available in soft cover, or electronically. I've taken turns reading the printed page, as well as on my Kindle and iPad2.

She could believe her eyes...

Notable Quote: "I guess the truest way to explain how I feel about the way beef is produced after all I saw that busy day is to tell you that for dinner that night I thoroughly enjoyed a nice piece of beef tenderloin." - Ellie Krieger, from "An Inside Look at Beef Processing" - The Huffington Post

As a veteran of nearly 40 years in the food industry, I've seen a lot of things. One thing that I haven't seen (or heard credible rumors of) in dozens and dozens of visits to food processing facilities is the kind of sloppy (or evil) treatment of animals which is described in many popular books and magazine articles. Nor have I witnessed much reasoned debate about how to improve food production in the United States. Many, it seems, want to assign blame, and in so doing, disparage food-makers for things that they may not be guilty of. Aggressive accusations made in public forums come to be regarded as fact by those who have never set foot on a farm, feeder lot or factory floor.

We all want (I would hope) a clean, safe and plentiful supply of food. In the U.S., by and large - we have such a system in place. We also want to see the life expectancy and health of our citizens improve - something that is happening, based on the latest U.S. National Vital Statistics Reports. Here's an exerpt and link:

"From 2008 to 2009 the age-adjusted death rate declined significantly for 10 of the 15 leading causes of death. The preliminary age-adjusted death rate for the leading cause of death, Diseases of heart, decreased by 3.7 percent."  http://1.usa.gov/eW8ljK

It is refreshing to see someone with intellectual integrity write an article like the one I've linked to. Ms. Krieger almost certainly took some flak for her position - one that doesn't sit well with many who recommend only "pure and happy" food. Read on... http://huff.to/m8CmtR . Why don't we all join her tonight and enjoy a nice piece of beef tenderloin? Perhaps with a side of Organic Heirloom Tomatoes...

Pure Food Worship...really?



Worth noting: Author and provocateur Barry Glassner, in his entertaining and informative book "The Gospel of Food" asks the question "Why do we deify some meals and some foods, and demonize others?"  Good question...

In"The Gospel of Food", Glassner goes on to explain in well-documented detail how many of us have lost faith in medicine, and have turned instead to things we can change, like our diet. We attribute to certain foods the power to make us well or ill...and often without any real proof, christen alternative fare "natural" or "authentic" and revere it above similar "conventional" offerings.

Further into the thought-provoking work, he quotes Science Historian Steven Shapin, who refers to "the bad order of society." From his studies, Shapin has concluded that movements as diverse as the Atkins Diet, Vegetarianism, Organic and Slow Food all preach a common message. "A bad society makes bad food, and bad food makes badly motivated and badly functioning people."

I encourage fellow food-lovers and recovering Foodies to read this lively, informative work. I'll be following this with some thought-provoking facts and studies shortly. Stay tuned.

If at first you don't try...

Taking a little different spin on the adage "If at first you don't succeed...try, try again."

Last week, while leading a group through NYC, I had the privilege of chatting with a business leader who shared her secret to success in working with people. "Don't be afraid to try something new...even if it doesn't work that well the first time." She went on to share how much she enjoyed leading in a culture that valued not just coming up with new ideas...but applying them in the workplace. What a concept! 

The dinner conversation reminded me of a favorite Einstein quote: "A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new." My takeaway and encouragement to each of you is to go out and try something new today (even if it is uncomfortable). Don't settle for "safe". 

"If at first you don't try...you certainly won't succeed."

NYC...

Just returned from a fantastic trip to "the city that never sleeps".  A few days of learning and exploration with some fantastic people, capped off by a day of "touristy" behavior with my wonderful wife and dynamic daughter. New York is an amazing city. Visiting some of its sights and sounds, and indulging in some of its tastes and culture is always a good thing. It is also made better by being with those with whom you enjoy spending time.

 

Short-term gain - Long-term pain...

The following is a "re-post" of a "classic" from my archives. The concept of the reusable popcorn bucket is one of the most disturbing and disgusting marketing schemes to come along in quite some time...

"Kick" the Bucket...

Today's Notable Quote: "Can you believe what they're doing with that refillable popcorn bucket?" - Overheard in the concession line at the local Carmike Theater this past weekend.

Buy a "refillable" plastic popcorn bucket for only $8.00 - and get 50-cent refills on each return visit to the theater during the coming year! 

Initial response? WOW! In the land of unrealistically high-priced candy, food and beverage--i.e. the local movie theater...this sounds like a great deal...a response followed by looking at the people in line--in our case, an acne-faced concession-seeking patron who scratched his face and other areas of his anatomy with the plastic popcorn bucket, before putting it on his head. At this point, our initial excitement was replaced with the sobering realization that hordes of strangers will be bringing buckets from their various abodes to be dipped into the common trough alongside our popcorn bag or bucket. Hmmm.

As a student of human nature and safe food handling practices, I have learned a few facts that cause me to look at the bucket offering with something less than full-out enthusiasm.  In the interest of the public health and welfare, I will share a few of my observations and a possible solution to the bucket dilemma.

Regarding foodborne illness - directly related to safe food handling:

1. Each year in the U.S. , approximately 75,000,000 - or about 1 in 4 citizens contracts some form of foodborne illness - often mistaken for intestinal flu or other illness.

2. Nearly 325,000 Americans are hospitalized due to something they ate which was improperly prepared, or mishandled during serving.

3. An estimated 5,000 deaths result from mishandled or contaminated food consumed by individuals in the U.S. each year.

Regarding human nature:

Are the individuals taking steps to insure the proper cleaning and sanitation of their popcorn buckets prior to and during transport to the concession line?

Are the service clerks behind the counter taking the steps necessary to provide clean, safe, contaminant-free popcorn to each patron(washing their hands, wearing disposable gloves, etc.)?

I could go on and on, but won't, in the interest of your ability to enjoy lunch or dinner.

Regarding a possible solution:

For now, I suggest "kicking the bucket" - and probably adhering to the TPAP (Theater Popcorn Abstinence Plan). Were I in charge of concessions, a simple solution would be to implement the sanitation protocol described above, along with providing disposable liners for use by the refillable bucket bearers. Of course, along with these steps, I would clean the restrooms on a regular schedule, teach the staff basic principles of customer engagement, etc., etc.

Indiana Jones' Bucket of Doom?

Authenticity

Coming off a great week of exploration around the subject of Authenticity. Spent time in Chicago with a diverse group of business leaders from across the U.S. - visiting a number of venues in and around the city. We walked, talked, ate and drank as we discussed and pondered the topic and considered how each of us present ourselves - on the personal and business front--and whether we are "true to self" and to what we represent ourselves as being.

Authors Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore initiated several conversations, activities and staged experiences designed to provoke deeper thinking around the subject. Time well-invested.