A LinkedIn Lesson From Ambassador Caffery

Ambassador Caffery Parkway is a busy stretch of 4 lanes in my city and it’s packed with shopping and restaurants. In fact, there are so many places to eat on this road, that it’s hard for restaurants to survive if they’re not on this stretch.

If location and traffic are everything for a restaurant, then this is the street of gold.

However, it’s the place where most restaurants eventually go out of business.

(By the way, Jefferson Caffery…THE Ambassador the road is named after escaped a hit on his life in Cuba in 1934. Ambushed outside his house by 4 dudes while he was taking his usual stroll to his yacht club. Caffery was not hurt.)

Popular chains, local startups, experienced restaurateurs, even ones that last 10 years or more are not safe on Ambassador Caffery Parkway.

There is one however that remains packed day in and day out. It had a drive-thru line, but people kept getting backed up on the road. Since the speed limit is 45…that’s bad. So they built an additional drive-thru line and put out signs saying “No Stopping On Pavement.” It didn’t help.

People aren’t deterred by signs or police fines…they still line up to eat all day long.

Guessed it yet?…or did you notice how the parking lot is empty on the Chick-fil-A photo above?

It’s empty only because this picture was taken on a Sunday when they’re closed.

Every other day...people are lined up at Chick-fil-A making all the other restaurants jealous with it's 7 figure revenues.

Restaurants…no stopping…Cuba….how does this even relate to LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is just like this roadway with businesses lined up and more traffic than anyone can imagine. It’s the street of gold.

So why isn’t everyone growing and profiting?

Just as with restaurants, it’s not the gourmet food or lowest prices or even the best food that finds lasting success.

The winners are the ones with a process of continual improvement.

Continual improvement results in best in class service and best in class experience.

The ingredients are available to anyone and the actual things that people pay for (the food) doesn’t have to be anything special as long as it solves the problem.

Instead, it’s the superior customer experience (based on continual improvement) that keeps people lined up to order.

The street is already built (thanks LinkedIn!) and you have a prime location in the heart of the traffic.

Implement continuous improvement in your business and find your unique success.