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As Karen and I dined at a Denver-based restaurant chain, the manager, Nate, stopped by our table to see how we were doing. One thing led to another, and—as is my wont—I mentioned the QBQ! book to him and gave my usual 15-second book summary. It goes like this:
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How do you know if Personal Accountability is a core value of your organization? How about the QBQ! methodology for practicing Personal Accountability—is it inculcated in your culture? Let’s find out!
3 criteria to determine if “QBQ! Inculcation” has happened!
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Skimming a recent Facebook debate, a comment made by a dad caught my eye. In a good way, he masterfully shut down the argument.
As his debate opponent lamented what is “happening to our world” and fretted about how “the children” will be affected, this wise father calmly replied, “I don’t worry about my kids. I didn’t raise victims.“
Well done, Dad. As Shakespeare wrote, “Brevity is the soul of wit.”
Let me now say what that father said in different words:
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For a moment, do your best to ignore the beautiful little boy above. 🙂
I saw a poll indicating a record number of people fear politics-based family tension during this year’s holiday gatherings.
My first thought was, That stinks. Life is too short.
When I pondered what could make the difference, these words came to me:
Continue ReadingOutstanding! 47 Ways To Make Your Organization Exceptional
This organization with more than 2,630 stores is very likely outstanding, but on this day, a franchise owner and his manager were not. Read on …
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My 29-year-old son, Michael, and I met at a sub sandwich shop down the street. A handy location for us both—and now our former favorite place to eat.
After interacting with a friendly cashier, we got our sandwiches and sat down. When Michael realized we’d not received our sliced half-pickle, he said to the counter guy, “Excuse me, we ordered a pickle and didn’t get it.” His response?
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“Dad, I didn’t know you could do that!” declared thirtysomething daughter, Tara, grinning ear-to-ear.
Little 4-year-old McKenna loved what she was seeing, too.
What were they so amazed by?
The QBQ! Grandpa efficiently spinning a Hula Hoop around his waist and hips—and keeping it going!
Hula Hoops, what a fad they were.
From pet rocks to PEZ dispensers to parachute pants to spinners, fads can be fun for kids and adults. However, here’s a truth:
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At QBQ, Inc., we’ve always believed the QBQ! book’s message of PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY helps managers and staff work together better. So, it was fun to see two emails arrive that show exactly how this can happen.
Enjoy!
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Email #1: Steven, Franchise Manager, Fred Astaire Dance
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We’ll get to our list, but first …
Someone asked me recently, “John, how do you decide what to write about?” Well, I write about stuff that—
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My wrestling coach dad, Jimmy Miller, had a poem hanging on the Cornell University grappling room wall in the 1960s. Still burned into my brain, here’s an excerpt from “The Man Who Thinks He Can”:
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win, but think you can’t
It’s almost a cinch you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a person’s will,
It’s all in your state of mind.
Powerful stuff, for sure. If that’s not a poem about mindfulness, I’m not sure what is. And “mindfulness” is a hot topic!
In the QBQ! book we write, “The old stuff is the good stuff”—so in line with that poem, here’s an old idea that is forever good:
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In Flipping the Switch (the companion to the QBQ! book), we write this:
“Organizations don’t serve people, individuals serve people. In the customers’ eyes the institution is only as good as the person they are interacting with at that moment. In other words, the individual is the organization.”
Though I was driving farm tractors and pick-up trucks by age 13, not to mention replacing my 1970 Plymouth Valiant’s water pump and radiator at 20, I’ve never felt super comfortable in auto parts stores. I’m probably not alone.
If there is ever a time to help me feel welcome, it’s in an auto parts store.
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