ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - November 24, 2006

I'm a little later than usual with the EHC this week. We had a mob over to the house for a glorious Thanksgiving dinner (and an amazingly extensive wine-tasting!) The last folks headed for bed close to midnight and at that point I was not about to try writing this!

Thanksgiving is a time when -- in addition to stuffing ourselves with turkey and other traditional fare -- we pause to give thanks for the blessings of the year ... and we have a lot to be thankful for.

We should be grateful to live in a country where freedom is not just an empty dream. However, if you don't use it, you lose it. Don't ever take freedom for granted, even in the USA.

We should be grateful to work in an industry that is such an exceptional vehicle for self-expression. What a blessing to make a living by "making people's day" with the gift of hospitality and caring.

We should be grateful for those who work for us. In the day-to-day struggles of management, don't lose sight of their innocence and heroism. In the end, we will have been responsible for what a good portion of their life was all about, truly a humbling responsibility.

We should be grateful for families. Richard Bach once said, "The tie that binds your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each others' lives. Rarely do members of the same family grow up under the same roof."

Thank you for being family. Happy Thanksgiving.

GRATITUDE IS POWERFUL
This is the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in the US, a time to pause and give thanks for the bounty that we have received. While we are at it, I would like to remind you to be thankful -- every day -- for your guests' patronage ... and make sure they know it!

Gratitude is more than just saying thank you (and we always have to say thank you.) But here is the thing to understand: the message you send is not communicated by your choice of words. In fact, the message you deliver is always contained in the FEELING behind the tone of voice you use.

Your words, while important, are only a vehicle that carries the emphasis, inflections and feelings bearing the message that others receive. To help make sure your intonation matches your intention when you are talking with someone, pause before speaking, clear your head of any distracting thoughts and allow yourself to connect with the other person. Then simply say what you need to say.

Good communication starts with cleaning up your internal state -- a process that is quite natural. When you start becoming aware of your distractions, you will automatically start the process of self- correction. You will be surprised and pleased by how clear your communication will become, how infrequently little misunderstandings will arise and how effective you will become at human relations.

NOW WHAT?

I am still looking at the pile of CDs -- 230 pounds of them! -- but I haven't even had time to open the boxes. I suspect the first thing I will have to do is straighten up the mailing room enough to lay them all out and see what I've got!

All I know for sure is that they are interviews from my Management Insight Series and Pizza Insight Program, discussions with people in our industry who are doing interesting and unusual things -- the sort of conversations that leave you thinking, "Wow, I never thought of it that way before!" (There's a reason it is called the Management Insight Series!)

While I continue to ponder the pile, perhaps you have some suggestions. What do you think would be an irresistable offer that would help me clear these out? I have to come up with something quickly ... or wait until after Christmas ... because at this time next week we will be on a plane to Italy for two weeks!

READY, FIRE, AIM

While we are on the subject of irresitable offers, here's a new one for you. This is a new campaign that I will be introducing over the next couple of months to expose more people to what I have to offer and, with luck, increase my subscriber base. Next week I should receive everything I need for the first 100 packages. If you would like to claim one of them, read on. I would also appreciate any comments or suggestions you might have on the idea and the copy.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

You may be wondering why I am offering you $724.61 worth of my best Money-Making, Business- Building Information and Advice for FREE. It’s because I’m trying to get you “hooked!” That’s right. I’m shamelessly trying to get you addicted to my common sense – and slightly unconventional – way of looking at the hospitality business.

I’m betting real money that once you are "plugged in" to my most current money-making, stress-relieving, time- freeing insights and discoveries ... after you have sampled the new products, programs, discounts and everything else I have to offer ... you will realize how much farther you can go, how much better you can be (and how much more money you can make) with a little help from a friend. And once you have tapped into a resource that helps you grow your business and get your life back ... well, you’d stay with it, right? Of course you would!

Just ONE really good idea, strategy, improvement or kick in the butt from all this can easily mean MASSIVE ADDED INCOME for your business. Look at everything you will receive in my BEST FREE OFFER EVER, get the details of how it works ... then take me up on this offer before I come to my senses. You really can’t lose!

THE NOVEMBER SURVEY
This is the LAST WEEK for the November survey. Add your thoughts now (or you will have to buy them later!)

Look out! The first of the Baby Boomers are turning 60, meaning that the largest population group in the country is graying ... but these people are not like your grandparents.

They have led a much more active lifestyle (if you lived through the 60's you know what I mean!) and are not ready to retire into a life of shuffleboard and pablum. They will continue to stay active for years.

They have money, they are used to dining out and while there are some inevitable limitations that will come with age, they still want the quality of life they have come to expect. If you can capture this market you will be set for years to come. Miss it and someone else will cash in on the age wave.

This month we look at what you are doing (could be doing, should be doing) to make your restaurant more senior-friendly and how you are -- or plan to be -- marketing to the Boomers.

As usual, I will make the collected information available to all those who participate in the survey. BTW, you can download copies of all past EHC surveys -- including the massive WOW Ideas collection.

Add your thoughts to the November survey.

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

I learned that there are people that are interested in contributing more to the operation. Just ask. Talk to people. Sit with one person every ten days and ask how things are going. How do they like it here? What could be better? I learn so much from those questions. -- Sal DeLorenzo, The Common Man, Concord, NH

That's all there is to it. Ask the questions, then shut up and be VERY interested in the answers ... but first you have to ask the questions.

Never doubt that the most critical -- and perhaps profitable -- management skill you can develop is your ability to truly listen.

I will continue to collect your answers to this important question ... and you can add comments as often as you want. Just click on the link below and contribute your insights for the common good (and your own as well!)

What did YOU learn from YOUR staff today?

© 2006 Restaurant Doctor