Chef Lean
Have you listened to the most recent Freakonomics Radio episode, the one that came out yesterday? Stephen Dubner dives into the NFLPA survey that sought the opinions of the players about their working environments. My job at TrippNT is to provide one of the most unique benefits, but also happens to be arguably the most impactful benefit that our employees interact with daily. Now, I love the power that I weild, the opportunity to withhold Biscuits and Gravy gives me the deepest joy (their tears are so salty you could pickle eggs, so wonderful.) But really, it is wonderful to be apart of this unique benefit.
While my job is way outside of the normal operations of TrippNT's business, however the way I do my job is impacted the same way as everyone else. The process of examining my processes and workflows to find and destroy waste while practicing the actions of improving everyday is as crucial to me as it is to the Cart Line Specialists moving carts out to the dock or Director of Production finding opportunities to level the workload throughout the entire shop.
It is simple to see how daily regimented improvement is so integral to success in a business like the NFL and quite a cliche honestly to compare the efforts of the coaches and players to the managers and line employees in any other industry. But the findings of the NFLPA survey shows clearly how important the peripheral benefits that support those players and employees are to their engagement leading to success on the field or in the boardroom.
Providing a filling and delicious daily meal to TrippNT's employees prevents them from being distracted during the workday, which allows them to be more engaged and focused. Lean, which we all practice, when approached as a daily regiment of improvement develops an inescapable inertia like an cohesive offensive line moving in unison to push back the defense and matriculate (Thanks Hank) the ball down the field. Engaged and focused employees are more likely to find the holes in the defensive backfield, pushing along with the OL to the endzone.
As a Chef practicing Lean, any improvement that I can make will be redoubled in getting downhill and pushing downfield by simplifying or even removing an unnecessary component or movement. Even though I am ostensibly alone in the pocket, I generate my own pass protection with daily improvements that ensure that I can evade the sack and get lunch on the buffet everyday, on time, with all the condiments and accoutrement to score a great meal.
