SIMPLE LESSONS FROM A PIZZA MAKER
Some of the simplest lessons we find reinforced from the most successful people. John Schnatter is the CEO and founder of Papa John’s International. This fellow knows a few things about making pizza that translate to many other aspects of business and life. In his earliest days of pizza making, Schnatter observed the connection between quality and customer engagement (“How Did I Get Here?: John Schnatter” Bloomberg Businessweek . 6/5/17–6/11/17, p. 64):
“ If I made the pizza right, the plate would come back empty. If I didn’t, it would come back half-eaten. ”
Additionally, Schnatter articulates the most powerful keys to success in business and in life in general:
“ What gets measured gets done, and what gets rewarded gets repeated. . . . All you’ve got to do in life is find something you love and are good at. ”
As I reflect on organizations and as I reflect on people, I am amazed at two things:
- Organizations that do not understand these simple lessons . . . and wonder why they are struggling.
- People that do not understand these simple lessons . . . and wonder why they are struggling.
Simple lessons are often the most powerful. Sometimes because they are so simple, they are overlooked. Other times people somehow automatically assume that they are already doing them when in reality they are not.
Never neglect that vital connection between quality and customer engagement. Always strive to put the right person into the right job. If we implement those simple lessons, then we will enjoy the success of them too.
