The true value of your work

I recently stayed at a business hotel where the food and service was strictly okay. No part of the stay was worth recommending the hotel to friends and colleagues. Yet, if you judge the hotel by occupancy it would appear as doing well.

A captive audience has no other option.

The hotel was in a good business location. It's priced well and has great photos on the website. It is always going to have a steady stream of visitors simply because of its positioning. These customers will dine there as many of them have booked via packages. How can the management judge the true performance?

You have to look beyond the surface level to learn deep insights.

Ask how many of these customers are repeat guests? Do the locals visit the restaurants for weekend meals? Are the guests hosting company dinners? These observations will yield much better areas for the management to improve.

But, how is this relevant to what we do?

Our work is also analogous. Your team has no option but to work with you. If you cook, your family has no option but to have the meals. They are the captive audience.

Do your colleagues and friends from the industry seek your input for their work? If so, you are adding tremendous value. Our duty is to elevate not just ourselves but them too.

Similarly, do your friends and kids ask for second servings? That can be the most authentic feedback mechanism. This is how I learned that being a chef is not my career option, ever.

Make an active effort to learn about your work. Dig a bit deeper and we will all rise.

Happy Ideating!

Hemang.