Electronic House Call

ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - May 6, 2005

Do not let the tardiness of this cause concern for my well-being. Internet access early in the trip was tough but we are now settled in at our first house of the trip -- a 15th century stone farmhouse -- and the telephone line works! The connection is, however, brutally slow. It is sure easy to get spoiled by broadband!

LIFE IN ITALY
The Italian adventure has begun. As is my custom, I am posting a daily diary of the trip on my website, so please check in from time to time and follow along.

One of the real benefits of travel for me is that I notice things in other cultures that I just miss in our own, so the trip report is also a dissertation on what I learned day by day that may have application elsewhere. We are, of course, engaged in some serious food and beverage research ... but what did you expect?

I have also realized that the world will continue to turn no matter what size the EHC is this week, so in an effort to get caught up ... and because this is a time to relax and reflect ... what you see is what you get this week. Ciao!

Find the daily diary at http://www.restaurantdoctor.com/trips/italy2005/itinerary.html

INDULGE ME
I know it's May but I have not had a chance to put up a new survey, so I will continue with April survey for another week. Please take a few minutes to fill us in on the current state of your training and how you expect it to evolve in the next year.Add your thoughts to the April survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=94735975229

CREATING THE EFFORTLESS ORGANIZATION
"As a result of the Summit, I have taken a step back and slowed down when dealing with difficult or "headstrong" employees. Even over the phone, before the Summit I found myself inclined to shut down because of their "bad habits" or their inability to take responsibility for their actions. My memories of them contaminated my ability to listen.

"But now I am a calmer self as I listen and talk with them on the phone about the status of the restaurant and their everyday lives since the fire.

[Note: Nancy's restaurant was destroyed by fire several months ago. They are getting close to re-opening.]

"I also have become quieter with my two teenage sons. What they have to say is important and by not imposing my opinion so quickly on them and listening there appears to be a better form of communication -- if there is such a thing with a 17 and 16 year old.

"Not only did Steve and I learn a lot [at the Super Summit] but it caused us to slow down, let down our hair a little and reflect on where we are going. We have been fortunate to have been given the opportunity by this fire.

"I know that sounds funny but it is a rebirth, a re-commitment to all the things we were doing right and the ability to change what we weren't. I expect the challenge is equally as great with a restaurant that is in continuous operation. Thanks again." – Nancy Butcher, Co-Owner, Nutcracker Family Restaurant, Pataskala, OH

Super Summit 2005 will help you develop a new frame of reference ... from your own insights, not from someone else's "good ideas." This will awaken your natural "people skills" which will lead to a calm mastery of the human factor in your work - even when you are faced with totally new situations, demanding guests, difficult staff, or just your own natural human ups and downs.
Best of all, this will all happen in a way that will enhance the productivity and morale of your staff, improve the well-being of your guests and put more money on your bottom line. In short, you will be able to get more done with less work in a manner that will seem effortless ... and restore balance to your life in the process! That is the simple -- and powerful -- promise of Super Summit 2005.

If this sounds like your idea of a good time, you owe it to yourself (and your family) to find out what Robert Kausen and I have planned for 44 select people on June 6-7 in New Orleans. My best estimate at the moment is that we still have six seats available for the June program.

This is the last program of this sort that we have planned. Don't miss it.Get the whole story on the Super Summit and submit your application today.

THE PERPETUAL QUESTION
What did you learn from your staff today?

My perpetual question is really a lot deeper than it may sound.

You may come to understand that improving your listening skills may be the most valuable management talent you can develop ... and you may not get it at all. It all depends on how serious you are about finding out what you and your company are really capable of becoming.

I will tell you that the really effective managers can give a fresh answer to this question every day. No problem. If you don't have a response immediately at hand, what does that say about the quality of your listening?

I will continue to collect your answers to this important question. Just click on the link below and contribute your answer for the common good.

What did YOU learn from YOUR staff today?

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