AROUND THE COMMONWEALTH WITH THE MERCHANTS Message From the President A Recipe for Success in Business Anyone who enjoys eating--and who doesn't--recognizes the importance of recipes when it comes to quality food preparation. The success of a particular dish is in large extent determined by the care taken in selecting the proper ingredients and following closely the method of preparation. As in the food arena, success in business is quite dependent upon the right ingredients and the faithful adherence to the method of preparation. I title my recipe for business success Business Hash. The ingredients are four: honesty, assertiveness, sensitivity, and hospitality. The method goes something like this. Start with honesty. If there is no honesty, there can be no integrity, without which no business can be truly sound and enduring. Half truths and shady dealings may produce results which appear outstanding on the surface, but they are only a nice- looking facade over a shabby, decaying structure. As deterioration increases, both those responsible for the business and the public being served are hurt badly. Add assertiveness. Especially today, assertive actions are needed to effectively handle the method of demand placed upon business people from management, suppliers, solicitors, and the general public. This proper use of firmness and resolve can help hold a business on an even keel and allow the business person not to be unwillingly drawn into circumstances which may be regretted later. This assertiveness must not be confused with aggressiveness--a trait not desirous, even detrimental, in business. Add sensitivity. Being sensitive to all those with whom one comes in contact leads to development of good rapport and effective working relationships. Empathy for supervisors, peers, and the public produces feelings of good will and cooperation. Sensitivity given can lead to sensitivity given back in return. Finally, add hospitality. To be hospitable is to be sincerely friendly. This friendliness must be genuine, not superficial or fake. If it is not genuine, people will discover the insincerity, thus creating weak or strained relationships. Hospitality is contagious; the more it is exhibited, the more other persons strive to emulate it. So there you have my recipe for Business Hash. I'm sure you know the recipe, yet from time to time all of us need to read it again and be reminded of the ingredients of a successful business. What Grocers Offered Their Customers In '91 Percent of grocery stores offering these products in 1991: Hot take-out 55% Store-made pizza 53% Chilled prepared food 49% Hot food bars 34% Cheese shops 32% Salad bars 18% Restaurants/cafeterias 14% Fruit-juice bars 10% Copied From INDUSTRY NEWS April, 1992 Microwaves & Nutrient Pills A recent gathering of the International Food Futurists in Pittsburgh looked into a crystal ball and came up with their ideas on what peoples eating habits will look like in the future. A non-profit group of food professionals, the Futurists share information and explore new ideas and trends. Their latest ideas are on display at the new $30 million Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh (also known as the "Amusement park for the mind." Some of those predictions: Eating five or six meals a day instead of the current three. Microwave ovens that fit on bedside tables. Nutrient pills that allow people to skip meals. Edible containers for take-out food. Snack bar choices at your local theater, themed for each movie. Restaurants with story book areas and theme menus providing an interactive dining experience. Best-seller food stores, selling the best products. Individual microwaves, with everyone in the house- hold responsible for programming his or her own meals. Copied From Virginia Restaurant Magazine July/August, 1992 The excuse for slow sales in October is, people are waiting for the fall clearance sales. When in Rome... Have you been to England lately and ordered an English muffin? Probably not,because an English muffing is a crumpet in Britain. According to Reader's Digest, many foods that are named for specific countries are called something different in their place of origin. Are there french fries in France? No, they are called pommes frites. There's also no bologna in Bologna, Italy, nor will you get an American hamburger if you order one in Hamburg, Germany--in Hamburg, a Hamburger is a resident of the city. Spanish rice is not served in Spain, and turkeys are scarce in Turkey. In the U. S., Baked Alaska is not a particular favorite of Alaskans, a Western sandwich out West is oftentimes called a Denver, and a New York Sirloin in the Big Apple is called a boneless sirloin. Copied From Virginia Restaurant Magazine July/August, 1992 Observations From a Pro A few philosophical comments from Ed Allen Who contributed much to the cable television industry. They are the kinds of observations that merit a pause. It is not what you say of do, it is how you treat people. That is how they will remember you. People who view their work at 60 the same as they did at 30 have wasted 30 years of their lives. Good executives surround themselves with good people who can get the job done, so they can put their feet up on the desk and think. This iSEXIT what they are being paid for. Don't be content with "average." This means you are as close to the bottom as you are to the top. Without communication, understanding is impossible. Without understanding, conflicts are probable. To change is difficult. Not to change is fatal. Copied From Business Review Aug. 1992 Calendar Oct. 1, 1924, Jimmy Carter Oct. 2, Happy Birthday Hazel Hicks Oct. 3, 1922, First woman U. S. Senator appointed Oct. 4, 1957, Soviets orbited first manmade satellite Oct. 6, 1927, First talking movie shown Oct. 7, Yon Kippur Oct. 8, 1956, First perfect game in World Series pitched. Oct. 10, 1845, U. S. Naval Academy opened Oct. 13, 1792, White House cornerstone laid Oct. 18, 1867, U. S. bought Alaska from Russia Oct. 21, 1879, Electric light bulb invented Oct. 22, 1883, Metropolitan Opera House opened Oct. 24, 1945, United Nations established Oct. 28, 1886, Statue of Liberty dedicated