I once worked as a store manager for a fast food chicken chain, (WOW, I was young then).
I learned lots of fantastic rules for good business there, but probably the most important was to always walk in the front door as if I was a customer entering for the first time.
Head office called it “shop blind”. That is, to walk into the store and not SEE what is in front of you.
Is the fridge full? (full shelves will sell more than 1/2 empty, every time)
Are the windows clean? (if the windows are not clean, what is the kitchen like?)
Is the floor swept & bins empty?
Are the gardens mowed and weeded?
You get the idea.
So, what is your business like?
Next time you walk into your business, go in through the front door, and look at the business as if you are seeing it for the first time.
First impressions count, and you only get one.
What first impression are you making?
Warm regards,
Bren
#1 by Ross Hill on September 16, 2006 - 10:24 am
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I think this applies to any project that a person is involved with. If you are looking at something for too long you get used to it, you only notice major changes that happen. Is the fridge fully empty? Yeah! But if one drink is disappearing at a time nothing is changing fast enough for you to notice.
#2 by steve gray on September 17, 2006 - 12:21 am
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If you find you have store blindness, then send in a relative or friend and have them jot down a few points that are not good, then start to develop a checklist of these so that ofter a while you end up with things you want to be aware of more readily.
Too many smaller businesses have hassles with this one!
Cheers
#3 by Charlie on August 22, 2011 - 7:55 pm
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I use that same technique with my shows. I know that sounds strange, but when I have performed a show or routine for several months or years, I often forget how others see it, since it is old hat for me.
Two or three times a year, I get people out to watch my show, but critique everything from props, scenery, patter, etc.. and their gut reaction. It can be very eye opening and I believe it helps keep me providing quality top end shows.
A good rule for any business.
#4 by noah on September 11, 2011 - 10:05 am
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A simple but brilliant idea. After some time it’s hard to see things as others do, particularly in an environment that you spend more waking hours in than your own home. But certainly well worth the effort, and something that you can enlist the help of your employees with as well.