Tag Archives: radio

Salt & Pepper, Time & Temp

3 Nov

There’s an awarding winning barbecue joint here in Austin. It started out as a trailer and soon graduated into its own building.  The barbecue is so good that you have to line up at 10:30 in the morning, wait an hour until they open the doors at 11:30, and when the meat is gone…they close.  I’m not kidding.

This past summer Bon Appétit magazine called it the Best Barbecue in America.

Aaron Franklin was asked by our local news what his secret was, I’m paraphrasing, but this was his response:

We get the best meat from Montana, and then it’s about salt and pepper, time and temp. That’s it.

Really? No secret sauce? He’s not blending 200 spices together, or using his great grand daddy’s recipe?

How many times have we messed something up, failed at making something better, because we kept piling on all of our little tricks.

How many times have we rushed to decisions, because we didn’t have the patience to just let it be and see it through?

The recipe for success here can easily be translated to your life and your work.  Don’t over season, make sure the basics are being executed, and above all…be patient.

Thanks and Goodbye

12 Oct

I’m out. I’ve written this column/blog for the last 2 years and it’s time to stop. I don’t know why, it just is.  The last few things I’ve written have felt forced. That’s not good.

I’ve enjoyed the time, the sharing, the ideas, and the inspiration. The truth is I’m on to what’s next. There are new responsibilities, new things to do, and my attention is elsewhere.

I’m always here to kick around ideas, and my blog will certainly stay up, but the weekly column is done.

Thanks again for reading; it was appreciated more than you’ll ever know.

“…there are more zero’s on my paycheck.”

3 Aug

A decade ago I was riding the elevator with my then GM Mark Kopelman.  He looked stressed, I think he had just had his second child, and on our way down, we started complaining to each other about how tough the day was and what lay ahead that evening.  Somehow we got on the topic of money and he said this:

“I have the same issues you have, there are just more zero’s on my paycheck.”

Indeed there are, a lot more I think, but what a profound statement.  We all get wrapped up in chasing what’s next, believing that it’s better on the other side.  If I only made more money, drove a better car, or had a better job, everything would be easier. In fact, it’s not.  Truth is that time and again research has suggested the opposite.  People with the least tend to be the happiest. They have learned to be content with what they have and where they are in life. I’m not suggesting we stop striving and driving for what’s next.  I’m only asking if maybe you already have it. Do you?

Things You Should Say at Work!

28 Jul

This is a list of thoughts that I hope you and your teams are saying out loud inside your office or workspace. If not, print this and keep it as a handy reminder.

It’s far better for you to be thinking this way, rather than your competition.

  • Let’s try it.
  • I have an idea!
  • What if I’m right?
  • What if we did this?
  • Let’s go ask the intern.
  • Have you tried this yet?
  • What if it doesn’t work?
  • What if this actually works?
  • Wait…I’m on to something!
  • But that hasn’t been done before?
  • I have a hunch, let’s hash this out!
  • What would another department do?
  • You can’t ignore the research, can you?
  • Let’s go ask our receptionist what she thinks.
  • What if we fail at this and embarrass ourselves?
  • Nobody else is doing it that way, why should we?
  • What if we actually did what our customers tell us to?
  • Are we doing this because it’s how we’ve always done it?
  • Look at the silent person in the meeting and say “What do YOU think?”
  • How would (insert a completely different company here) manage this?
  • What would somebody from outside of our industry do?
  • Is this a unique idea, or a rehash of what’s been done?
  • Is there another way to use this technology?
  • Let’s go home tonight and ask our kids.
  • I’m over thinking it, let’s just do it.
  • I’m not afraid, are you?
  • I don’t know.
  • Yes we can!
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