Mission, Vision, Core Values… for many, this is “fluffy stuff” that is easily ignored. For others, a box that is ticked and a framed document that hangs near the bathroom.

But these things are what matter most to the new workforce (Gen Y). Getting this right gives you a huge competitive advantage.

Take 90 seconds to watch this video with your team and ask each other this question:

Does our message resonate with the people we want to attract?

Onward and upward!

PS: I’m speaking at Tales of the Cocktail on Wednesday, July 25!

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Without a doubt, the one thing that I have done to advance my career above all others is bringing MENTORS into my life.

I am talking about a formal mentorship: A monthly, one-on-one meeting between you and a wise person, who can provide advice, experience, and perspective to your journey.

I am surprised at how few people take advantage of this process and how little is known about it. Here is a quick Q&A to get the conversation started:

What is a mentor? A person who has been where you want to go.

How does a mentorship work? There are many books on this. Here is a great one: A Game Plan for Life: The Power of Mentoring by John Wooden and Don Yaeger.

What does it cost? I have had several formal mentors over the last 15 years and have never “paid” (unless you count all of the coffee and lunches I have bought, plus some occasional gifts of gratitude).

How often do you meet? I get my best results when I meet monthly, but 4 times a year is way better than nothing.

How do you get a mentor? Do your homework, find the right fit and then ASK (and ask again).

How many mentors can you have? At least one; I often have several (a couple for business, one for family, one for personal, etc.).

If you have specific questions on the subject or have a mentor, ask or provide your insights to others in the comments below.

Make this the best year of your life. Take this step,

PS: I’m speaking at Tales of the Cocktail on Wednesday, July 25!

See the banner at right for more details.

Pack your bags – Angus is taking you to Mexico this month!

This video is short but good. Some fun with Tequila (and green screen)!

Chao!

PS: I’m speaking at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic on Sunday!

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In certain sectors, such as fast food, you can run a highly profitable business with a COMPLIANT team. But our industry’s full service restaurants continue to be dominated by incredibly COMMITTED teams.

Telling the difference between those who HAVE TO and those who WANT TO can sometimes be hard when you are right in the middle of it.

Consider this: A compliant person does their best work whenever it is demanded from them. The committed demand more from themselves than their employers do of them.

A compliant person fears losing their job that pays the bills. A committed person gives their all because they love what they do every day.

I have spent my career working with small “underdog” teams, and I would take 5 committed team members over 15 compliant ones any day.

But here is the problem: the committed and the compliant are like Oil and Water, determined to push the other out.

Thriving in this competitive landscape will require stacking your deck with committed “A-Players.”

To your success,

PS: I’m speaking at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic on Sunday, May 13!

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Clearly, customers are not always right. No one is. But we are not in the business of “being right.”

As a restaurateur, I was in the business of delivering REMARKABLE SERVICE and providing customers with a REASON TO RETURN.

In order for those things to happen, a genuine connection needs to be made between your staff and your customers. The first step in that process is helping your staff understand that each guest has their own way… their own story.

Watch this Chick-fil-a video and gain a new appreciation for people’s everyday stories.

Onward and upward!

PS: I’m speaking at the Manhattan Cocktail Classic in less than 2 weeks!

See the banners at right for more details.