If you haven’t stolen something lately, you’re not doing your job.
I like to go to the Tulsa State Fair, people going everywhere, doing so many different things! Plus, all of those different smells. Most importantly, it was my very first date with my smokin’ hot wife, Noell. The fair is indeed something else! It’s a melting pot, if you will, of all kinds of different things. I have actually heard it referred to as, The Redneck Prom. It is undoubtedly a hoot, and I love it. Plus, I’m always looking for ideas.
One visit to the fair I saw this sign that said, “Seven Course Meal.” I’m thinking, “What a cholesterol fest! Deep fried bacon, corn dogs, and fried butter,” but this was serious business! They were laying out a seven-course meal. Not exactly what I envisioned; in fact, it was much healthier, thank the Lord.
My incredible wife tells me that I get this look, it’s a look of intensely taking things in, sort of like sucking information in through my eyeballs. I also like to touch things, know how they are built.
Quite often I will go over a barrier to look at something just to understand it. The funny part is, I hate puzzles, so it’s more like when I am passionate I like to know the details.
I must’ve looked like I was up to something because this older, grandfatherly man came out. He reached out and put his arm around me companionably and asked, “So. What did you steal?”
“Nothing!” I said reflexively. “Well,” he replied, “you’d better steal something.”
He could tell I didn’t understand, so he went on. “My grandfather taught me a long time ago to make sure that if you ever go anywhere, you’re always stealing something with your eyes.” He looked at me expectantly and asked again, “So, what did you steal?”
This time, I went ahead and told him what I had observed about how he did customer service. From his smile, I could say I’d passed the test.
No matter where you are, take the opportunity to steal something. No, not the stapler or the signs, or all the red or black jellybeans from the bowl of jelly beans. I mean STEAL the ideas. Freely steal ideas and lessons everywhere you go.
As they say, even a broken clock is right twice a day, so you never know where you’ll be when you may see something worth stealing. You don’t also have to like the idea; you can learn what not to do by observing. Every time I go to a restaurant, or anywhere, I’m looking for what they do that I like and don’t like, and I’m always on the lookout for ways we can improve our service at my Chick-fil-A locations.
Think about your industry. Who is doing it well? This is what I like to call a target-rich environment. For me, Disney and Quik-trip are a few places I love to steal from.
Your first assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to steal from my new book! Be on the lookout for it!