ELECTRONIC HOUSE CALL - December 22, 2006

Since everybody will be otherwise occupied this month, I will try to keep the EHC a bit shorter so you can scan it quickly and get back to work.

Little did I know when I wrote last week's EHC that the wind storm would leave us without power, phones and cable for three full days ... and we were the fortunate ones! Believe it or not, there are still about 75,000 households in the area that will be lucky to get the lights back on by Christmas!

Things are gradually getting back to normal around here. We still have to do some triage on the contents of the freezer, but fortunately we had no damage to the property ... and we became the neighborhood gathering place for some memorable improptu dinners during the big black-out!

And, after weeks of playing catch-up, I am finally fully stocked for my Best Free Offer Ever. If you haven't already taken me up on this remarkable offer of $700+ worth of my best business- building ideas, better check it out before I come to my senses.

BE PREPARED
We all experience power outages from time to time, although seldom one of this duration. It got me thinking about what you would do if the lights suddenly went out. Particularly as we become more and more dependent on computers, the sudden loss of electricity can put everyone in a panic mode. Around here, some businesses just locked the doors while others maintained a semblance of business as usual. What would you do?

You may not lose power but you know that eventually the computer will go down in the middle of the rush. My suggestion for today is that you not only have a good manual back-up system for your POS but that you put it into play from time to time just so your crew is comfortable with how to keep the ball rolling if the system is down.

You might also want to lay in a stock of candles and flashlights so you can quickly implement a Plan B, particularly if you have guests in the building when the lights go out.

LAST CHANCE
The stores will soon be out of those small, clear Christmas tree bulbs, so get them while you can. The clear ones don't have a holiday connotation at other times of the year -- in fact, many people call them "garden lights" -- and they are an easy way to add sparkle to a room.

Look for dark corners and "black holes." Fill them with lights and watch the energy of the room come up. Put them in the landscaping outside your place to catch people's eyes, particularly during the dark days of winter. I have used them to add interest to buffets and receptions all year.

They are so cheap that you have no excuse NOT to have a stock on hand. Twenty bucks might get you as many as ten strings of lights. You never know when they will be just the answer you need ... and where are you going to find them in July?

MERRY CHRISTMAS
Finally, let me share my wishes for Christmas and the holiday season. I know this is a hectic month for most operators, but while you are helping everyone else enjoy the season, please be sure to make time for yourself and your family. There is more to life than just making it go faster.

Click here to open my Christmas card.

SUPER SUMMIT 2007
Just as your car needs a major tune-up from time to time, your restaurant periodically needs some detailed diagnostic attention to continue to perform to its full potential. When a concept has enjoyed success in the market over time, it is easy to start taking it for granted. The concept gradually – almost invisibly – gets stale. With the quantity and quality of the dining choices that consumers have, stale concepts can't survive for long.

Super Summit 2007 will provide you with specific skills, ideas and plans to make your operation more competitive and allow you to appeal to newer, larger markets.

The Super Summit will be held from February 27- March 1 in Charleston, SC. Space is limited and the next early registration scholarship expires on January 14th, so now is the time to check it out. Find out more about the Super Summit.

THE DECEMBER SURVEY
Nobody will have time to spend filling out surveys this month, so let's take December off! In January we will collect the best sales-building ideas you have ever seen! In the meantime, you can download copies of all past EHC surveys -- including the massive WOW Ideas collection (... or sign up for the Best Free Offer Ever and get the WOW Ideas survey results as my gift!)

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

If you can't answer this question every day, you are not listening. If you are not listening, you are not learning. If you are not learning, you are going to end up as road-kill on the road to prosperity!

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