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HEY! COME ON! WE MOVED!

I THINK THIS IS THE LAST LOAD

WE MOVED AND YOU CAN NOW FIND US AT:
www.fridaysfounder.com     Free cookies if you find us!

WE ARE GOING ON OUR OWN!!!

Contrary to the vicious rumor we are leaving on our own. Paying a year in advance for the new site had nothing to do with whats going on here!
REMEMBER: fridaysfounder.com

NO, WE WILL NOT BE COUPONING AT THE NEW SITE!

NO, NO, IT'S OKAY!

It's okay, you can still read all the great stuff Dan writes go to: fridaysfounder.com
REMEMBER THE BOOK IS COMING!

ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are moving our blog to:   www.fridaysfounder.com

Subtle change in address but big change in location. First, we have had to address the overwhelming number of responses we have received. Second, many of you could not access the comment box and tell me how much you enjoyed my humor or on occasion how inspired you were by my insights. Either way it is all now fixed on the new site. This will also allow us to expand the blog into a full blown website to accommodate the training and design center.

P.S. For some of you, I want you to know there is a FILTER on the new site that eliminates any negative comments.....that includes the likes of Rush, Jimmy, Jim, Ken and most of all Mikie!

Who am I?

First, I am from Gen 'S'! I have researched gen X, Y, millenium and baby boomers to discuss the impact of these population segments on the work force. However, the least recognized and understood is my 'gen'! It is a small and very insignificant segment those born in the year of the 'Spam'! Many things happened that year, in addition to my arrival like the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fellow 'S'ers' include, Bill Cosby, Tommy Smothers, Marlo Thomas, Colin Powell and of course Richard Petty (famous for left turns).

Second, I am a 'Techno-Geezer'! This is a little known category I invented.  You must be a septugenarian and skilled with computers. So far it is a very small group, me.

Third I am an inventor. Besides turning T.G.I. Fridays into an International brand, one of my notable achievements is the invention of potato skins! My cardiologist says, not the best thing I could have done for mankind!

Hopefully I will soon add to this list 'Author'.

LEADERSHIP AND VISION

Innovation is key to progress in all industries. Price cutting should not be confused with innovation nor should clever marketing schemes. Think product. Think Apple!

Change,  in all markets, is inevitable. In the book I draw a sketch of a curving road as an indicator of market change. Oh, did I mention the road is in the mountains, now imagine what happens to those who don't change. 

Change and innovation require vision. To be a leader you must have vision. I believe in core principles as the key drivers in life and business.  We address this in a unique way, no 10 steps or 7 rules but core values and principles, giving focus and purpose to your decision making and goals.

Quality Matters!

BOIL IN A BAG FOOD

During the first 15 years Friday's was known for many things. Three of which were, highest volumes in the industry, no advertising and from scratch food. Coincidence?

EXCELLENCE

LinkedIn Chris Rich wrote:  Dan,  Great to connect, thanks for the invite. I look forward to the book. Make sure you let me know when its published. I'll want n autographed copy of course!!!  I have many, many fond memories from my 13 years at TGIF from 82 to 95. One of my favorites was as GM in Plantation. The town passed a smoking ordnance and the local yahoo came in and told me to put up plastic non smoking signs in the cafe areas. I called Jim West and 5 minutes later you personally called me and told me to tell the city guy no way was he going to deface our restaurant. A week later you had custom made solid brass Non Smoking plaques sent to the restaurant. I was amazed constantly by our culture of get it done fast no matter what it takes. Like sending a walk in cooler fed ex to get a store open on time.  When I left I had been the original international guy who developed a large department and signed deals for 51 countries. It was the best time of my life.  I wish you health and happiness in 2013!  Chris Thanks for the memories. Dan

Give it a try!

A very rewarding part of writing my book has been the research. Reading, counseling, interviewing and the most rewarding catching up with past and present Friday's family.

I have also enjoyed getting to know, through their books people like +Richard Branson. He is principle driven, as I believe you must be and one of those core principles is making people happy when or where they least expect it. The Virgin Brand is famous for doing just that. 

Just for fun, try it, try to do something to make others happy that is unexpected. Let someone in line ahead of you, be cheerful for no reason. Open a door even though you're going the other way. Simple but thoughtful things. My favorite is situational jokes about what's happening around you.

Make someone smile....make someone happy.... you might be surprised what a nice day YOU have.

Marketing

       
 I did the MARKETING for FRIDAY'S the first 15 years.
Here is some MARKETING advice!

Be sure and FIX the tire before you try and fill it with air!

We call it "The Four Walls Theory!"

FIND YOUR POTENTIAL

Linus, in this cartoon accompanied me throughout my career. He still hangs on my office wall and reminds me and I in turn reminded everyone I can, that POTENTIAL is within and only a burden when unfulfilled. I have always been inspired by mentors who had greater expectations for me than I had for myself and gave me the tough love and pushed me to exploit my POTENTIAL. My goal with the book is to inspire the reader to find and exploit their POTENTIAL.

Generations X - Y - Millieum & S

"Gerrard & the Coney Island Dog"

In Atlanta one night I was working the front bar when a young women got my attention, and pointed to a lighted sign that was a part of the decor. "Coney Island Hot Dogs 5 cents". She slid a nickle across the bar and said, here is my money, I want a hot dog! I explained that the sign was part of the decor and not to be taken literally, Blah, Blah, Blah.

No, she said, that sign says hot dogs 5 cents and I'm hungry! I want a hot dog! The manager that night was Gerard Pynes, who had a tremendous sense of humor.  I told him we had a customer at the bar who had a complaint, so he came up to see what he could do about it.

Affecting a very serious demeanor, he assured the young woman that we were indeed serious about customer service, and he would see what could be done.  We had a hot dog on the children's menu so he had the kitchen fix one up.  Then he stopped by the service bar to add a squiggle of whipped cream where one might usually apply mustard or ketchup.

The young woman was delighted and proceeded to eat the entire thing, daintily wiping whipped cream from the corners of her mouth. (Story contributed by Rush Bowman - bartender extraordinaire.)

I have been cautioned that the current work force has changed and that Generations X, Y & Millenium present new challenges. I am part of generation "S" (born the year Spam was invented) and after a good deal of study, I view this beach ball a little differently.

A hint before you read the book, every generation likes to have fun but there is more, a lot more.

Did Gerrard start something?!

Life's energy drink - PASSION!

Real success is rarely achieve by without passion.  Sports, the arts, music greats all express their skill passionately.  In business, while less newsworthy, the truly great like Apple and Ritz Carlton have passion in leadership and execution. Friday's was founded on a passionate quest to be the best. Today that same passion is found in Friday's UK. Their energy is fueled by that passion and their guests feel it! Everyone likes the feel of success so they return and bring their friends. Their slogan "If it's REAL you'll FEEL IT!" speaks to their boundless energy and awesome success!

I have used counselling both to help my students and to gain focus for the book. For some the word passion is foreign, for others elusive. Having experienced the energy and fun of being passionate about what you do, I highly encourage you to find yours. Steve Jobs said "If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better as the years roll on."

The mediocre are missing 'Life's energy drink'!

Wow! (says it all)

Margherita-Capt. Dan-Soledad & Sarah 

Margherita gets my 'best sales person of the decade' award! For the book I have worked very hard researching Apple, Ritz Carlton, Southwest Airlines, Four Seasons and I could list fifty more companies in search of how to give customers the BEST experience. Margherita exceeded all the points of service, attitude lessons and problem solving techniques, these companies teach. More importantly, however, she exceeded my value and principle driven methods. (Oh yeah....you can read about them in the book).

My quest: a mobile office. I often carry two computers, an iPad, manuscript, mobile scanner and a lot of connectors. On top of that there are all the research files!  We were in Las Vegas last week next to Fashion Mall. I had already visited several stores in my quest and was tired, grumpy and discouraged. I then walked into the Tumi store and was met by my new heroine and everything changed. Everything I am trying to artfully explain in the book she did well beyond my expectations. 

Here we go.  As we entered the store she immediately and this is important genuinely made us feel welcome. Next, her enthusiasm and cheerfulness removed my 'grumpy' and revitalized my quest. She carefully listened to the requirements of my quest and then, in a very informed way, not only outlined the in store solutions but those of the entire Tumi line. There was no steering, up selling or focus other than helping me find the best solution. I told Margherita that one of my requirements for anything I buy is that it makes me look cool, (No looking at me in the picture above and laughing! I can try), she even finessed this one and told me Tumi was my brand.

I left with the coolest looking mobile office, on rollers, made of leather (looking cool) and in a very good mood. I also left with a great example of excellent service for my book. 

P.S. The story dosen't end there. I called Margherita's boss Sara Calvert. We had a great chat and it was obvious the qualities I saw at the store run deep in the organization. Later when I returned to the store with a Tumi bag that had not been monogramed (remember looking cool). Margherita was working her magic on another customer but easily handled the multi-tasking challenge and I returned later for my cool freshly monogramed bag. The next time I returned an associate, Soledad continued the magic. I told her I needed a spare cord bag for my rolling office and she happily gave me a discontinued color at no charge! (She didn't even know that I am a soon to be famous author!) I am adding Tumi to my research list. I am impressed.

If you think you can.........

"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."
                                                                                                    Henry Ford 

Excellence requires a 'can do' attitude, sometimes it takes a 'can do' attitude over and over again until you finally get it! Throughout Friday's history we succeeded in doing the impossible. Sunday brunch with 'fresh' hollandaise sauce for Eggs Benedict and Eggs Sardou.  We served white table cloth food in a 'high volume' casual theme restaurant......impossible! We did it!

For years I would take 'can't do' management staff to a place in Scottsdale called Pischke's.  Prior to going I would show them his extensive menu and tell them of the lines out the door.  The quality and service spoke for itself.  The first impression upon entering Pischke's, was how crowded the place was and the second impression was how small the kitchen was.  After having a great meal with good ticket times we would go back to see their elaborate kitchen and ponder the possibilities.  Pischke's sold bumper stickers with their motto.   I even put one of his bumper stickers on the boat.  It reads: "NO SNIVELING!".

I have been struck while writing the book and doing research at the preponderance of negative can't do attitudes.  As I teach in the book there are many who have become very polished at explaining why it can't be done or why it didn't happen.  (I am not into politics so I won't mention politicians.) Sadly, many I have studied accept mediocrity instead of 'going for it' they just skillfully explain it away. For Sandy's and her mother's birthday, my brother-in-law took us to 'Mystere' at show in Las Vegas.  If you or your associates are plagued with a 'can't do' attitude, go to this show, watch what they do and just TRY and think 'can't do' now THAT is something that  CAN'T BE DONE.