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Carnegie Deli Jumps The Shark

My wife and I recently had the pleasure of lunching in NY with my esteemed friend, Peter Firestein. Because of timing and prxoimity we decided to dine at the venerable (and touristy) Carnegie Deli at 7th Ave and 55th.

This place is legendary. USA Today has called it “the most famous deli in the United States.” It’s over 70 years old, has been in many movies, and served many famous people, whose pictures adorn the walls.

If you’re ever in NY, don’t bother. Not in our group’s opinion anyway. This place jumped the shark years ago.

What you get is lots of food (lots of it) and some NY attitude. The quality, however, is, at best, completely mediocre; totally uninspiring.

It was so bad that Peter asked forgiveness, almost like he was asking on behalf of the entire city of NY. (All’s forgiven, Peter; the time with you was much more important than the Turkey Reuben.)

Why is this place still in business? For what purpose? To rake in money from tourists? Is that what Milton Parker imagined when he opened the place in ‘37? Is that what his grand-daughter-in-law, Sandy Levine, cares about now?

It’s a sad story for a company, when it no longer connects with the values that gave rise to its fame and fortune, or at least some equally important reason for being.

Give me half the food, but make it great. I’ll walk away satisfied and happily spread the news (instead of tell people waiting in line what a waste it was).

You’d think a 70-year-old business would be wise enough to know that lesson. You’d hope there’s a value statement someplace that every employee can access and respond to with a truthful: “Yes, we still do that and I’m happy to come here and be part of that story.”

Being famous for being famous doesn’t seem like a sustainable business model. Unless your company mantra happens to be “there’s a sucker born every minute.”

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Posted 07 December 2009 § Fundementals § Observations ‡ Comments (1) ° Tagged: , , ,

Dancing On The Ceiling

Every company has a ceiling, or a number of ceilings, which prevent employees from reaching new heights.

Whether it’s a function of the org chart, or the limitations of internal systems, or lack of new and different work, people are going to hit some stopping points and make some choices:

  • Push at the extremities
  • Coast
  • Look for an exit

There’s another option: dance. That’s when management steps in to initiate employee engagement that promotes both individual and company growth. Like sending people to training. Or assigning people to spearhead internal programs.

Dancing on the ceiling, when done well, results in profound change for all parties.

It also helps the ceilings fade away.

Might be worth some time to examine the ceilings at your office. Too many of them and people are likely to stumble.

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Posted 02 December 2009 § Fundementals ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: ,

Swimming Upstream

My good friend, Jamie Turner (of The 60 Second Marketer) once offered up some sage advice, which I continue to try and put into practice. To paraphrase:

In the great river of life, you have the choice to swim upstream against the current, or float downstream with it. Swimming upstream is difficult work. Going with the flow is much easier. Either way, the scenery is the same.

In that same vein, my college piano teacher used to say that the hard work of making the music is making the music. If you’re working so hard at the mechanics of pressing the keys, your energy is going into the wrong place.

Which is all to say this: success doesn’t have to be a complete struggle. Sometimes we need to simply follow where our paths naturally lead. It’s OK to go with the flow.

Unless, of course, there’s a huge waterfall around the bend; then it’s time to paddle your butt to the nearest shore. :-)

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Posted 01 December 2009 § Observations ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: , , ,

Every Dog Needs A Job

Your dog sits at home, biding her time until your return. But then…

Hey, look! Someone’s coming! It’s The Letter Carrier! He’s not One Of Us! I have to protect hearth and home!

Bark! Bark bark! Bark bark bark bark bark! Bark bark bark bark bark bark!

Yay! He’s leaving! Yay! My barking worked! Just like the last time! Yay! I’m a good dog! Yay!

Given no other direction, every dog will make up her own job description, and then attempt to execute it flawlessly, regardless of true causality. Because dogs are working animals, and working animals need jobs.*

So do the people in your organization.

Seems like a good idea to be directing that, lest anyone in your company start barking at The Letter Carrier.


* Thanks to Jill at Jabula Dog Academy for teaching Sparky and me this valuable lesson.

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Posted 30 November 2009 § Fundementals ‡ Comments (0) ° Tagged: , , ,

The Art Of Giving Thanks

“Thank you” is a powerful means of communication.

  • It completes a connection between offer and acceptance.
  • It embodies an appreciation for gifts or value bestowed.
  • In essence, it expresses an awareness of connection between one person and another.

And “thank you” is not just a phrase. Giving thanks can take just about any form of appreciation, from a few kind words to a year-end bonus.

We’re taught to say “thank you” from the day we can speak. For many of us, unfortunately, the concept is often relegated to the same category as “good morning” or “How ya doin’?” — both on the offering and receiving end.

We all know how it feels to be deeply appreciated; how often do we show the same to others? A few simple, sincere phrases, clearly stated, go a long way toward making someone’s day, whether that person is a family member or a member of your staff.

I don’t know about you, but making someone’s day makes my day, and I relish every opportunity I get to make that happen.

Then there’s also the art of accepting appreciation. When someone says thanks and we reply “Oh, it’s nothing,” are we diminishing their emotion? “It was really my pleasure” is a great response (especially when it’s true).

Now I’m not advocating a Love Fest. Nor do I believe that the bank teller always cares so deeply when you cash a check.

All I’m getting at is this: the art of giving thanks shouldn’t be taken for granted, especially when you consider its ability to build even the simplest ties, motivate positive action and make the world a better place.

So…

Thank you.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you in the pages of this blog.

I’m grateful — and honored — you take the time to read it.

Hopefully, you find as much value in its pages as I find in writing it.

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Posted 25 November 2009 § Observations ‡ Comments (2) ° Tagged: , ,