One Minute Martinizing

Reverse The typical approach to improvement involves measuring performance against a specific goal. First, define success by setting an objective. Second, decide what needs to be measured, and set the standard(s)—measure and track activity against the standard(s) and your objective. Closing the gap between where you are and your objective is the game. Execution! 26-year-old restaurant manager Will Guidara took charge of a struggling restaurant and turned it into the place named the best restaurant in the world. What he did next may surprise you. He decided to reinvent the place. He gathered members of his team and went on field trips, dining at the highest-rated restaurants. After each trip, they huddled to discuss the experience. Guidara was not interested in what impressed his crew. The topic of each discussion was “What disappointed you most?” “What shortcomings surprised you?” From these experiences, they developed new objectives by addressing weaknesses and opportunities that ...

Here are three secrets to getting things done. Be decisive and decide to do it. Schedule the work. Get things on your calendar. Do the scheduled work.    The calendar is a fine productivity tool. Keeping a daily, weekly, and monthly calendar will keep you focused.   Set time aside at the end of your day to reflect on what happened. Give yourself a grade every day. Look back on today, yesterday, and last week. Are you moving forward? Think about and plan for tomorrow, next week, and next month. Putting what's on your mind on paper makes it real.        Trusting your memory is not a good strategy. Write down your thoughts. Getting things on your calendar helps you turn activity into progress.   Allow me to suggest keeping a journal. Making a record of what's going on will provide context and perspective. At the end of each month, review your calendar and your journal.     Think about where you've been and what's next. Work on a 9...

Read Allow me to be direct. Reading will dramatically improve your chances of success. You need not take my word for it. Warren Buffet’s longtime business partner, the late Charlie Munger often said, “in my whole life, I have known now wise people who didn’t read all the time. None. Zero.” Making time in your day to read is a great investment. Being a life-long learner will set you apart from the crowd, make you a more valuable creator, contributor and help you get more out of life. All of the great performers and programmers are readers with rare exception. They read not only to learn, but to be entertained. The great Paul Drew often suggested reading biographies. Jim Yergin, the research genius who invented reach and frequency, was always reading and recommending books, especially on philosophy. Both of those successful leaders are among the wise people I have known that led me to understanding and appreciating the incredible value of reading. Read. Return to  Brandwidt...