May. 06 2011

The Hidden Charge

I had dinner at a local restaurant yesterday evening.

It was a nice night, my girlfriend and I went out and - generally - we had a great time.  The restaurant we went to was crowded and there was live music.  There was lots of potential.  I won’t name the place because that information isn’t relative to my point.

Our bill was significant.  It wasn’t the most I’ve ever paid for dinner but it was up there considering the meal we had.  I thought about the different prices of the different dishes and - by themselves - they didn’t seem extreme.  However, we left the restaurant probably not likely to return until the food gets better.  When the portions are served correctly, the flavors executed better and the service stronger surrounding the food.

During the walk back to our car, it dawned on me that I’m very happy to pay good money for a good meal.  I’m happy to pay for whatever the food cost is.  Whatever the drink cost is.  Whatever the staff cost is.  Whatever the mark-up is to make a profit, to cover expenses, etc.

I also came to the realization that when you pay good money for, not just a good meal, but something good - you’re willingly paying a hidden charge.  Scandal?  Intrigue?

Something different.  You’re paying for fantastic execution.  The invisible expectation that I’m giving you my money and what’s coming back is something excellent - in any form.  You’re paying for a chef to harmonize flavors, to correctly size the portion, to make sure something is representative of control, passion, expertise, entertainment and a multitude of other positive qualities all tightly tuned into a singular event.  That’s not easy to do.  

So, heed this.  Don’t be afraid or ashamed to pay someone their worth for when they deliver.  They’re not just following instructions.  They’ve taken the time to tailor to world-class expectations.  Not just food but in products, in experiences, in life.  It could be construed as “taste” or “curation” but the hidden charge is more than that.  It’s honoring the effort, the attention to detail and focus applied to every level of the task, service or product.

It can be how we all get better.  If someone isn’t doing this or it isn’t happening wherever you are, demand it.  Raise the level of what you expect to something you deserve all the time and the hidden charge goes away.

It becomes, simply, honest return on honest work.

Sep. 06 2010

In a world where labor does exactly what it’s told to do, it will be devalued. Obedience is easily replaced, and thus one worker is as good as another. And devalued labor will be replaced by machines or cheaper alternatives. We say we want insightful and brilliant teachers, but then we insist they do their labor precisely according to a manual invented by a committee… Companies that race to the bottom in terms of the skill or cost of their labor end up with nothing but low margins. The few companies that are able to race to the top, that can challenge workers to bring their whole selves—their human selves—to work, on the other hand, can earn stability and growth and margins. Improvisation still matters if you set out to solve interesting problems. The future of labor isn’t in less education, less OSHA and more power to the boss. The future of labor belongs to enlightened, passionate people on both sides of the plant, people who want to do work that matters.
Seth Godin (via azspot)

Aug. 01 2010

Actually it’s very easy, I don’t have to put on a tie!

Hugh Hefner

on cbs sunday morning, after being asked how he keeps his honest, straight-forward image alive.  while obviously apparent, this runs a bit deeper.  he’s doing something that truly represents him.

he’s not putting on a uniform for some other man.

Jul. 30 2010

Balanced People Don’t Change the World

But the other thing to think of, it’s that being unbalanced (for lack of a better word) doesn’t mean you have to go into destructive genius mode. I don’t know if it’s your family or your health, but if you really want to head off in pursuit of a big dream, something’s gotta give. It’s up to each of us to determine what that’s going to be and how we’re going to allocate our energy.

the inspiration for my twitter bio.

May. 31 2010

What to do with your millions.

Many people with jobs have a fantasy about all the amazing things they would do if they didn’t need to work. In reality, if they had the drive and commitment to do actually do those things, they wouldn’t let a job get in the way.

May. 25 2010

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (via bmwpr)

Mar. 25 2010

(via saratara)

sort of related to this.

Feb. 11 2010

Shoveling And The Tragedy Of The Commons

…

Virtually all of the houses with a single occupant or family (as indicated by a single doorbell or knocker) were shoveled clean. Nearly every house with multiple occupants — and most businesses — were unshoveled.

…

A common good that requires work to maintain is ignored if there is a diffusion of responsibility.

emphasis mine.

Dec. 21 2009

America can't make things because managers all learn finance instead of production

But these executives were frequently numb to the sorts of innovations that enable high-quality production at low cost.

proof points and unique positioning:

  • speaking of sheds, here’s the other side of this story realized:  catskill farms.  there is a lot of innovation here that gets hidden by simplicity - but that’s the point.  it’s turning a bi-product of american opulence on its head.  no more huge, costly palatial houses far away that burden you.  they’re focused, approachable, controlled well-built and beautiful.  a very smart business model that generates more than fiscal reward.

::exhales::  i know this is sort of open-ended and more “okay, i get it - how do we fix it?”  but maybe that’s the point.  everyone is looking for ways to right the ship, to get us back on track, to get “us” flourishing again.  to become omnipotent and ignorant all at once again probably shouldn’t be our best intention, veiled or otherwise.

we can do this differently and it doesn’t have to be choosing between one or the other.  i’m absolutely sure of that.

Oct. 19 2009

We’re moving product, while the soul drowns like a cat in a well.

Quitting the Paint Factory by Mark Slouka (via gina)

funny that i came across this before a small announcement i’ll have tomorrow.  ideal that it shared something that’s been in the back of my head for a long time (the whole essay is worth reading, focus in on the story of sherwood anderson).

guard your mind and guard your mind’s time.