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“Small daily, seemingly insignificant improvements and innovations lead to staggering achievements over time.”- Robin Sharma

I recently had lunch with a friend at a restaurant, and the waiter did something that goes to the very heart of how employees can come up with ways to do what they do better than before.

My friend and I were chatting away, not looking at our menus. The waiter came to our table with two glasses of water and asked if we were ready to order. “Not yet,” I said, “Give us a couple of minutes and come on back.”

“I don’t want to bother you,” he replied. “So just put the salt shaker on the edge of the table when you’re ready, and I’ll come by as soon as I see it.”

Most folks would pass it off as a clever idea, give a smile and thank the guy for being considerate. I, on the other hand, almost jumped out of my seat, got on my proverbial soap box, and started evangelizing to my friend. “See what I mean, John? That’s a classic example of how ingenious people are … how full they are of countless ideas that can improve the way work is done.”

I didn’t ask the waiter if he was the only one there who used that technique, but just imagine the impact if all of them did use it. Imagine how much time it would save waiters going back and forth to find out if people were ready. Imagine how impressed and appreciative the customers would be at not being nudged to place their order.

Then imagine the impact on business if there was an established process for Systematic Continuous Improvement that engaged every person on the team in routinely contributing dozens or even hundreds of little ideas like placing a salt shaker on the edge of the table.

Click on the link below and learn how you can get the most that every person on your team is able to contribute to improving your business every day.

Begin your improvement journey today!