|
|
|
||
|
|||
So many times we have had the luck of having the question asked to us: how did you do it? How did you create a 5 million dollar independent location out of a gas station? There are a lot of reasons. And at the same time we consider ourselves blessed by great fortune. Moreover, there are too many individuals to thank. Employees, family members, friends, business partners, and a whole gallery of other forces that have helped us build this successful operation. I want to discuss a few specific elements of our business that you might be able to translate into yours in order to replicate some of the success from an independent operator perspective.
The overall characteristic of both our La Nova Pizzeria and La Nova Wings company success that resonates is the culture that has been created. That’s right; we have a culture here that is built to succeed. La Nova is going to win. La Nova is going to be the best and there is nothing that is going to stop us from reaching that goal and succeeding beyond it. If you say it enough times, it starts to become part of you. When it becomes part of you, you then can translate that same feeling to your employees. When your employees feel that way, the customers recognize it. And when your customers recognize the positive culture of your business, they want to buy from you. It may sound simple in words, but it is not the easiest method of practice. We have issues, concerns, obstacles, and misfortune as does every small business owner. The difference is we choose to see every one of those points as an opportunity. We see a solution or improvement to any part of our business arise out of those typical issues.
It starts with ownership of attitude. You decide how you are going to approach every day at the shop. Are you coming into the building with a positive attitude and a willingness to win? Do you find yourself with a smile on your face every time you engage a customer or employee? Are you someone that others can rely on to be prepared to make them feel great about being a part of your success? Do you portray work as an opportunity and do you find that because you do this the people that work with and around you learn that this is a fun and exciting environment to be a part of? You see it is that simple. By representing yourself and your brand as a winner, you create energy and a charisma that results in an environment that breeds success. People love to feel good. By owning your attitude you allow for nothing less than the best out of your life. As a result, you will see an amazing transformation around you. People will want to work harder for you, and customers will choose your brand over others instinctually.
As a result of this mentality, there is a structure of positivism that starts with these simple rules:
1. No employee or customer enters the building without a greeting of hello.
2. No employees or customer leaves the building without a thank you.
3. If you work in our building, you wear our brand. Uniform is mandatory.
4. You are to be clean and presentable at all times. Look good=feel good.
5. If you work in our building, no job is below anyone. If you can’t do a job or you won’t do a job, you don’t fit. We never say no to a task.
6. If you have an idea, it will be heard. Our open door policy is real.
7. If you don’t come in on time, don’t come in. Every employee who is timely should not have to suffer because you were late. The work you were supposed to be doing has been getting done so you are not allowed to create grief or anger by being allowed to take advantage of your teammates.
8. Our staff is a team, a family even, and we hold each other accountable.
These “rules” are our culture. They are what separate us from our competition. They foster an air of success and of teamwork that translates into our success. Work gets done quicker and more professionally. Our product is better and more consistent. Our employees are winners. They are rewarded for their sacrifices. They leave work and are proud to tell people that they work at La Nova. This is one piece of the puzzle of how we have been successful. And I thank God every day that my grandfather instilled this in my father, and then my father proved it to me. When you decide to be a winner and live that lifestyle, success is inevitable. Try and start it tomorrow in your shop, create your culture of winning. Put a smile on your face and radiate the positive energy that you deserve to have and your people deserve to see.