Clapping for Customers

For more than ten years the Italian restaurant next door to my office has been my “go to” place for a quick lunch with friends and clients.  No drive, no parking, good food, and the added benefit of supporting a neighbor. But a few months ago, sadly, Mezzo Mondo closed its doors and vanished.

As I left my office yesterday evening I noticed a new Japanese restaurant had taken its place.  The lights were bright, liveried valet on duty, a smiling hostess at the front door, three waiters hovering, and four white-hatted sushi chefs standing tall behind the back counter.  As my wife and I walked in the front door the entire staff applauded our entrance.  I don’t think this was because of our celebrity or good looks.

We all like to know the opinions of other customers, especially for a restaurant we’ve never tried.  That’s what Yelp is all about – user opinions.  Personally, I always hesitate before sitting down in a restaurant with no other diners.  What does everyone else know that I might have to discover for myself?  But I gave this restaurant the benefit of the doubt because I knew this was their opening day.

Our dinner was fine.  As you can imagine, the service was quick. I ordered a little more than I usually would because I somehow felt responsible for their lack of other customers. My excitement to have a new restaurant open in a convenient location was tempered by my concern about food spoiling, staff quitting, and the restaurant soon closing if their business didn’t pick up.

It’s fine to write a better book or, as they say, build a better mouse trap (or restaurant), but a great product is not enough.  You also have to get the word out.  You have to market and advertise.  It seems to me that business, like life itself, resembles a decathlon, in which to be successful, you have to be at least adequate in every event.

But just as no one is ever going to hold the world record in both the shot put and the hundred meter dash, none of us can be great at everything.  I know many people who are outstanding at their work, but can’t quite translate their ability and effort into real money.  I know others who are wonderful friends, but who haven’t yet found the love relationship they aspire to and deserve.

Your life starts, and ends, with you, and life is what happens while you’re making plans.  To help my life along I’m resolving again, even though it’s not yet New Year’s Day, to fully enjoy whatever I do, be friendly to everyone, and support friends and family in their ventures.

And if you’re in the mood for an excellent Japanese lunch or dinner, just stand in front of my office building and turn left.  You might even receive applause when you walk through the front door.

Alan