Here\u2019s a\u00a0timeless lesson on how consultants can make a difference for an organization.<\/p>\n
Last week, we took some friends out to a new restaurant, and noticed that the waiter who took our order carried a spoon in his shirt pocket.\u00a0 It seemed a little strange.<\/p>\n
When the busboy brought our water and utensils, I noticed he also had a spoon in his shirt pocket. Then I looked around and saw that all the staff had spoons in their pockets.<\/p>\n
When the waiter came back to serve our soup I asked, \u201cWhy the spoon?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d he explained, \u201cthe restaurant\u2019s owners hired ABC Consulting to revamp all our processes. After several months of analysis, they concluded that the spoon was the most frequently dropped utensil. It represents a drop frequency of approximately 3 spoons per table per hour.\u00a0 If our personnel are better prepared, we can reduce the number of trips back to the kitchen and save 15 minutes per shift.\u201d<\/p>\n
As luck would have it, I dropped my spoon and he was able to replace it with his spare. \u201cI\u2019ll get another spoon next time I go to the kitchen instead of making an extra trip to get it right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
I was impressed. I also noticed that there was a string hanging out of the waiter\u2019s fly. Looking around, I noticed that all the waiters had the same string hanging from their flies. So before he walked off, I asked the waiter, \u201cExcuse me , but can you tell me why you have that string right there?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, certainly!\u201d Then he lowered his voice. \u201cNot everyone is so observant.\u00a0 That consulting firm I mentioned also found out that we could save time in the restroom. By tying this string to the tip of our \u201cyou know what\u201d, we can pull it out without touching it and eliminate the need to wash our hands, shortening the time spent in the restroom by 76.39 percent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter you get it out, how do you put it back?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d he whispered, \u201cI don\u2019t know about the others, but I use the spoon.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
(ed. – This originally appeared in the By George Journal in October 2009.)<\/em><\/p>\n