50 Years of Lessons Learned
As Human Circuit (formerly known as Professional Products) readies to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, affectionately labeled as our “Quinquagenary,” there are lessons learned that are worth sharing. And because I am a foodie I’m going to have fun relating them to something everyone can understand:
- Buffets – Just because there is a buffet with so many offerings, and it seems like it’s a good offer…don’t do it! You will definitely overeat and pay the price. While the quick stomachache may pass, the long term damage is done. Not every opportunity is a good opportunity and taking them all can do damage to the business.
- Looks can be Deceiving – A restaurant can be well designed and beautiful. It doesn’t mean the food is any good and the value may not be there. Sometimes the small and quaint “hole-in-the-wall” proves far better value and is a lot more satisfying. Sometimes the bigger and by appearance better client…isn’t better. They can prove more daunting to satisfy and at thinner margins with more overhead. Sometimes the less glamorous client is more appreciative, more cooperative and more profitable to mutual benefit.
- Eating to Survive Versus Eating to Thrive – Grabbing junk food or mediocre food because you have to eat may be quicker and satisfy the current need, but it probably isn’t good for you and ultimately really doesn’t make you happy in the long term. This is the difference to paying too much attention to the top-line revenue and not the bottom-line revenue. It also can prove a detriment to the ultimate job satisfaction of the whole organization.
- Yelp, Michelin, and Restaurant Critics – There is a great deal of information available at our fingertips to find out about a restaurant. All that data is useful, but you need to read carefully. Information can be outdated and they are based upon personal opinions that may not align with yours. Information is not knowledge and you need to use your best techniques and situational awareness to measure what makes a good client and what may not be a good client.
- Nutrition and the Menu – Nobody loves fried chicken and BBQ more than me. And while it tastes great and I love it while I’m eating it, I know I better eat it in moderation or it might just kill me. There are things your company does well; probably better than your competition. Find the opportunities that will nourish your organization and sustain you long-term. The financial health of your organization is critical.
- Exercise – As you get older your physiology changes (often not for the better). You need to constantly pay attention to your body and mind. You lose flexibility and agility. Your business is no different. Just because you are still in business doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be constantly looking for ways to change and improve. Unlike your body, you can always gain back your business flexibility and agility. Agility is everything in business!
Food for thought!