Smart Business Magazine, December 2014

6 Smart Business Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Winter 2014 DENNIS SEEDS EDITORS NOTE A quest for collaboration How an unlikely comparison between sharing entrées and building a culture is an effective test My intention here is not to review the food or service but to draw a comparison between any bistro that uses collaboration as a way to develop a sense of community and a company that does likewise for its employees Slims I should point out has been closed for some time Slims had three communal tables providing for 24 to 30 diners Only three people operated the restaurant and each contributed to cooking serving and washing the dishes There were no servers and the menu was fixed price with only a few offerings Right off the bat my observation was how this type of restaurant has to constantly invent and reinvent itself Successful companies also focus on continuously innovating and refining their products Heres a test to see if you as a leader have the ability to launch and maintain a collaborative culture in your business The next time you are at a restaurant with several friends offer your companions a taste of your entrée Make sure more than one agrees to do so If you have a beverage of which you are fond share a taste of that as well As this friendly sharing continues it will approach the limits of your comfort zone how much of your meal do you feel you can share without getting possessive of it If a third person asks for a taste after two others have done so do you feel uneasy Do you feel that juicy prime rib disappearing before your eyes This kind of test is not for everyone You might have a group where no one wants to participate much less offer a taste of their dinner in return But sharing an experience and giving an opinion of the meal establishes a community built upon collaboration If you feel OK having the experience of sharing a meal its likely youll support a collaborative culture in your business The person who shares best and grumbles the least if at all would be your collaborative champion That is the kind of person you need in a company to ensure that collaborative efforts drive successful results All the pieces have to be in place the people leaders tools and environment One other piece is needed patience A collaborative culture just doesnt happen overnight It takes effort and cant be rushed Just like a great meal While I was on a quest a few years ago to find a Cincinnati restaurant that would be close to a Northern California type eatery I happened upon Slims in the Northside neighborhood The collaborative and community aspects of some Northern California restaurants has intrigued me for some time and I had to check out Slims which offered many similar qualities DENNIS SEEDS Editor in chief Smart Business Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Dennis is interested in the people and businesses making a difference in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area 800 988 4726 ext 237 dseeds@ sbnonline com www sbnonline com HAVE AN IDEA TO SHARE Engage with us on Twitter @ Smart_ Business