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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. 

Irreverence & Excellence!

Reduced to 'Quite Moment"

'Hostile Takeover' was published without my knowledge. Many things I am now finding out were done by the Friday's family without my knowledge. The result you see above,  I am cowering in the forward cabin of my boat with my handicap certified dog 'Boomer'. The bottom line is, we had the best people, the best results and the best time of anyone in any business!! We will talk about why we produced exceptional results and how you can duplicate these exceptional results in your life.  So get ready to read  'The Book'!

Wow, and we are almost finished.

Antique Canoe Dealer

For Sale but not by me

I need business cards because I was tired of writing on scraps of paper. Our training company when fully developed will operate under the name of TriCept, LLC. So we have an name and logo for the card but I needed a title. With a little tongue in cheek someone suggested 'Antique Canoe Dealer' since that's the only reference that can be found on T.G.I. Friday's web pages of my existence.  Personally, I think it's pretty funny and speaks volumes. I wouldn't bring it up here but I have been handing out a lot of business cards  and didn't want to start getting orders for antique canoes!

Based on Core Theories and Philosphies 

Hostile Takeover!!!

Warning! This Triceptive Blog has been taken over by an unknown source. We know who Mr. Scoggin is and have heard many of his stories. In fact our group has been scarred for life by all the fun Mr. Scoggin let us have over the years. None of us has been quite right since.

This is your first clue to who we are. By the way, if you can name all the people on this raft, you will get a ride on The Magic Bus. That is if we don't hold the bus hostage, too. Who are we???

Nothing like hands on experience.

I am really glad I didn't learn about stunt flying as a youth. I am sure I would have become a barnstormer.  My instructor was a former member of the Canadian Royal Air Force's aerobatic team called the Snowbirds. Wow!  A hands-on pilot with skills developed at every level of flight difficulty from trainers to supersonic jets. What a great instructor who learned his skills from the bottom up.

Hands on construction to potato skins!

The reason I am writing this, soon-to-be finished book, is that I have learned business in a similar way. It was all  hands-on management with strict requirements for results and excellence as the standard. I wasn't privileged with a business school education.  I worked my way up from catching lumber on the line in a sawmill to the board room (pun intended). My experience is real, not theoretical. Like my instructor I flew supersonic, when Friday's led the restaurant industry and at Boise Cascade in my early 30's.  I was jet qualified.

People and their development have always been at the heart of any success I have experienced. I am blessed with a problem solving and teaching skill that I explain in the book. During the frontier years of the casual theme restaurant industry my theories, philosophies and business systems were widely adopted throughout the industry.  My metaphors are legendary. Bounties were paid for our managers (complete with manuals and forms) so that our competitors could acquire these useful tools.

I have now taken a long look at the accumulated knowledge over the years and with clear hindsight have put together a helpful set of tools and insights about more than business but about life as well. I have also been actively counseling and interviewing a broad cross section of college students, small business owners and CEO's. I have studied today's issues with education and the modern work force. It amazes me how, in the midst of so much change, so much remains the same.  Read my book.  My experience can help you just as the flight instructor above taught me some pretty amazing stunts.

How do you COMPROMISE excellence?

I have searched high and low for an answer to this question.  It's an OXYMORON! I ask everyone everywhere I go, "What is your standard?"  The answer from everyone everywhere is always the same - EXCELLENCE!  However, during our conversation, I find time after time compromise rears its head.  "Times are different, costs are high, this is almost as good, this saves a lot of time." On and on comes the parade of compromise.  "We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle

Are you in the habit of cutting corners, or achieving EXCELLENCE every day?

Time to finish the book

My previous blog was the speech I prepared for the Friday's UK reward conference in Orlando.  I am usually pretty cool in front of an audience but I was so inspired by the energy in the room with a feeling that I have not experienced since my days with Friday's, that I struggled with emotion.  The sign outside the door read, "If it's real you'll feel it." It was and I did, I was with family, and it felt 'real' good.  I am inspired and heading to my 'happy place' which is my boat and plan to sprint to the finish with my writing.  Our working title "Triceptive" is starting to get competition as we approach the finish.  In the end I am sure the final word for the title will come from our agent and publisher.  TriCeptive will remain the important central theory in the book.

P.S. A special thanks to all the Knights of the Round Table, Jimmy Skeadas and George Barton for all the time and incredible input you generously gave during my time in Orlando

A tale of two Friday's

     Once upon a time in a land far, far away an errant Lord named Alan discovered a magical forest.  This forest was filled with bluebirds, flowers, rainbows, fun and laughter.  There was happiness aplenty and people far and wide came to visit.  In time, Lord Alan's magical forest grew by leaps and bounds.  Fair maidens and brave knights gathered in large numbers from all over the kingdom to visit the forest.  Soon a young enterprising Prince named Dan was drawn into the forest.  He was delighted and said to Lord Alan, "This is much more than a magical forest; it is an enchanted forest."  Upon closer examination, Lord Alan agreed and joined Prince Dan on his quest to captivate the entire world with the forest.  The people were pleased.  After many years of happily living in the forest, Prince Dan was called to navigate the oceans of the world.  He left the care of the enchanted forest to another.

     Years later, upon Prince Dan's return from the sea, he was saddened to find the forest quiet.  All the laughter was gone.  The fair maidens and brave knights were nowhere to be found.  Determined to repair these injustices and return laughter to this enchanted land, Prince Dan began writing a manuscript which set forth all the keys to the kingdom.  He diligently explained his philosophies and theories of how to make this land the best in the world.  But still, he was saddened because there was no happy ending to his story.  Then a miracle occurred.  Fair Princess Karen appeared from out of nowhere as if a gift from above and said, "Oh no, the enchanted forest is not gone.  It may still be found in the United Kingdom."  Much to Prince Dan's delight he found this to be true.  Princess Karen had discovered the forest and understood it's magic.  Because she was wise and fair, she surrounded herself with noble and just knights at her red and white round table.  Together, they worked diligently to make the forest enchanted once again.  When they were done, they were delighted to find they had discovered the Holy Grail.  With all of their efforts, the fair maidens and brave knights came back in droves to enjoy the bluebirds, flowers and rainbows once again.  Even better, they all ordered potato skins.

                                  The End

Princess Karen
"If you believe strongly enough you can make anything come true."

WHY?

Last night I watched a documentary on McDonald's near failure, 10 years ago and there is plenty of ink about Sear's, Wards and the many failing retailers.  I just finished reading a large number of business help books as research looking for the answer to this question.

The question is not what you think. Everyone knows the answer to the first question "why are they failing?"  The real question is why do we repeat ourselves and act surprised at the result!!!!! The bottom line for the Big Mac movie was........wait for it..........."back to basics!" Q - S - C!  They almost tubed the biggest restaurant company in the world and the answer was "BACK TO BASICS!!!

The 'Four Walls Theory' addresses this problem and the problem of proper focus on the basics. We used this 'back to basics' theory to save Friday's from the "Success Syndrome"!

'MAGIC BUS"

We are in the design phase. Happy to receive your IDEAS!

Triceptive - Principles for Business, Management, and Life.

Daniel R. Scoggin
Author/Driller

"Oil Well Syndrome"


THE TRICEPTIVE DIFFERENCE

 We all want things to be easy.  If they are not then we look for ways to make them that way.  The marketplace is filled with easy this and easy that.  When it comes to life's bigger issues we continue this thought pattern.  There is nothing wrong with this unless it misleads us or makes us into quick fix junkies.  There are some who think getting their degree will solve their problems and make life easy.  Criminals think the next big 'job' and things will then be easy.  I call this the "Oil Well Syndrome".  Drill that one big life's gusher and then relax and enjoy life.

I believe we have ready for your assembly the components for personal and business success.  This is not easy but it is simple.  It cannot be reduced to a list or a simple set of rules anymore than you, as an individual, can be defined in such a way.  The Triceptive formula is very straightforward.  It must stand on your core values and beliefs which must embrace the standard of excellence and the Triceptive definition of 'honesty', the 'expanded' definition.

Why EXCELLENCE?  It is the only STANDARD that provides the FUEL, creates the energy, excitement and what we call FRIDAY'S FUN!!!  Show me an excited mediocre anything!

Why HONESTY?  It is the number one feast for the human spirit.  It opens the floodgate of creativity and free exchange of ideas.  The light of this positive culture eliminates management fiefdoms and intimidation.  We describe it in Triceptive and Apple hints to it as "Fearless Feedback!"  You never tire of this environment.

Coupled with your core principles and a clear goal, these two powerful forces applied to maximizing the benefits all to sides of the triangle are the beginning of one of the most exciting experiences once can have as a leader!  Add to this the tools, definitions and commonsense management insights and I think you will want to adopt my founding motto, "be the best - have fun - make money".

Thanks for following,
Dan

Dan Scoggin is near completion of his long awaited book. Like FRIDAY'S DEBUT, the launching party, and subsequent 70's bus tour will be FUN! 
Here is a preview of the books soul.

Which do you VALUE most?

 Writing Triceptive illuminated a couple of paradoxes. Pier 39 is one of the highest volume tourist attractions in the U.S. The wide variety (pun intended) of people, makes for people watching at it's finest. We consistently see kind and polite behavior, generates the same behavior in return. We have seen this in our travels. One of the most delightful demonstrations, at the queue for the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver, BC. Everyone wins here and traffic moves nicely by simply taking turns.

The Triceptive method of management and it's reliance on honesty proves another obscure truth: "The quickest way to the pot of gold you seek, is through honesty."

Why, then, is is so rare?      Wait for it...........read the book!

The customer the company MONEY and you!?

Seems like an easy equation but based on understanding  it's not. I am not going to wax political here, that's not my area and while similar, it's totally different. I was, however, surprised how hard it is to get the true understanding of this relationship, when building a companies culture. Once you have gained a true and balanced understanding it is a HUGE tool that works for  everyone in the equation. Yes, another shameless pitch for  the book!

COMING SOON: Coast to coast book signing on the Magic Bus. No drugs will be involved in the design and decor of the bus....it will just look like it!

GO NINERS!!! GO KAP!!!

Ain't that a shame!

Sincerity can be shocking. I have become so numbed to the food servers required check back 'How's the food?' During my recent Texas trip, Casper, Stroke of Genius and I were having dinner at a  steakhouse and I was actually shocked when our young server truly wanted to know how my food tasted and if I was enjoying it. It was just like a family member who had cooked the food themselves and was concerned that you like it. Ain't that a shame! We have become so numbed to insincere that sincere is shocking!

One of my teaching metaphors is called the 'employee's cloak'  it teaches against dawning the cloak of a personality foreign to your own. The restaurant server one goes.......Hi.....my ....name ....Johnny...I ... will... be... your server...tonight... would...you... like ...something....to drink...besides ...water. All in a strange voice and cadence, totally un-natural . That was the efficient cloak the warm friendly cloak comes just before the bill and tip time!

I think we like Costa Rica so much be cause they say and mean 'con mucho gusto'  with much pleasure!

This is your Captain speaking!

Magic Bus tour
Dan & Sandy or 'Dandy"

 The Magic Bus Tour is designed to bring joy an happiness to all. If you see through that, how about, The Magic Bus Tour is designed to sell books. The truth is it will do both. It has been suggested 'tickets to ride' should be automatically issued to couples who either got married in the phone booth or at least met at Friday's. There are several other feats accomplished by Friday.s customers, on premise, but we haven't figured out how to verify them? Any suggestions?.

I HATE mediocrity!

 I don't hate many things but I do hate medocrity. In any human effort it is such a waste of life. At the age of 75 I have a little different perspective (I think improved!), it's all about about achievement (results) past, present and future. Excellence is good, medocrity is pathetic. Flying back from a meeting with Casper, we are in the final stages of writing the book, I had the honor of sitting next to a U.S. Marine. Shawn Pickell, recently retired from the Corp, was flying out to see his nephew graduate from Marine boot camp. Shawn was an instructor, not the drill type, but motivational and training for recruiters. What a blast to swap ideas and tools of the trade. The bottom line is you don't have to wonder where a Marine stands or question his honor and pride. Such a pleasure to talk to him. Shawn when you read this, thanks for some great ideas.

I have never met a mediocre Marine!

Triceptive Tried and True - Triceptive Trio

 Triceptive Training Tower

           Triceptive Triumphant Tour

                      Triceptive Trinity of Truth

Triceptive Teaching & Training

           Triceptive Teaching Toolbox

                         Triceptive Tasty Treats

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