The Happy Burro

Our company, like many large corporate offices not located in a downtown metro area, has a cafeteria.  It is one of the perks of working in “the Towers” as the building is known. 

There are the standard options: salad bar, grab-n-go sandwiches, a few hot entrees, even a ‘wrap’ station.  The best by far is the Saute.  Each day there is just one choice - today it was spicy shrimp with Jasmine rice. 

What I could experience

Quietly standing in line while the cook makes my serving, identical to the recipe and everyone else’s, measuring each ingredient, plates it, and hands it over so I can get in another line to pay for my meal.  Quick, efficient, cost-effective.  Boring, unconnected, not remarkable.

What I actually experience

The saute guy has four burners going at once.  The dish he makes each day has at least six different ingredients: various vegetables, garlic, chicken, etc.  While peope queue up in line, they ask for ‘no carrots’ or ‘half portion’ or ‘no garlic’ or ‘light on the oil’. You get the idea.  Personal requests for a custom meal.  Every single one.  

Each request is greeted with ”I’ll take care of you.” or “No problem.” And he never misses…with four meals going at once.  And when he hands over the completed dish, you get, “Have a great day” - and he looks you in the eye to make sure you heard him. (the emphasis on ‘great’ is his, not mine).

Fun, engaging, remarkable.  Taking the time to make a simple transaction into a wonderful break in the day. 

The saute guy is part of the ‘great people’ focus we have here at Carlson.  His name is John.

Joe Raasch :: Feb.21.2007 :: Employee Engagement, Personal :: No Comments »

Why, oh why, do bad powerpoint presentations persist?  Why do we sit in audiences and accept them?!! I know most presenters don’t get in front of a room with the intent to bore the audience and minimize their own excellent ideas.

‘The soul never sees without an image’ - Aristotle

Try building a Powerpoint deck without so many f-ing bullet points!  Try using an image   or two, and telling a story about why your audience should sit there and let you have time with them.
Want them to listen?  Connect…bring them into the story.  After all, isn’t that what you’re trying to do?  Connecting your ideas with these people!

Example:
Title of slide:  Sedona, Arizona Travel

• Sedona is fun
• It is a mountainous region of Arizona
• There is a lot of red rock there
• It is located north of Phoenix
• You should go there next time you visit Arizona

OR

Title of slide:  The mystical powers of Sedona, Arizona
Then have this image on the slide:

 
 
You, as presenter, tell your audience a story about the red rock in Sedona!  Maybe the history, or the indigenous Indians that lived there, or the fun jeep tours, etc.  People will remember the image on the slide, and your energy in the stories. 
They won’t remember bullet points…because bullet points don’t feed us, nourishing the soul.

Want more on this?  Check out Seth Godin for some prescriptive help.  Or Valeria Maltoni for help on the art of conversation.  I did.

Joe Raasch :: Feb.21.2007 :: Employee Engagement, Leadership, Performance Management :: 1 Comment »