Some BBQ, A Hardware Store, and Continuous Improvement

Recently a friend of ours invited us to his house for a backyard BBQ. We made our way through this sprawling backyard with cold drinks in our hand, and I found myself hovering over his brand new grill, oohing and ahhing over the sleek design and high-tech features. It was a state-of-the-art model, complete with temperature controls, a built-in smoker, and even a rotisserie function. After one of the best steaks I’d ever had, I found myself excited to fire up the old grill at home and do some backyard grilling myself. 

After inspecting my sad and neglected backyard BBQ, I knew what I needed to do. I headed to the local hardware store to pick up some supplies. Little did I know, this routine trip would offer me valuable insights into the concept of continuous improvement.

Walking into the hardware store, I was greeted by rows of grills, tools, and accessories. I picked out a new set of grilling utensils and some wood chips for smoking, excited to elevate my barbecue game.

As I browsed the aisles, I noticed the store had made several changes since my last visit. They had expanded their selection, rearranged the layout for better navigation, and introduced a new loyalty program. Intrigued by these improvements, I struck up a conversation with the store manager. (Is anyone surprised? No? Ok, moving on.) 

The manager said they listened to customers and looked at sales to make the store better. They added popular items and changed the layout to make shopping easier. Many businesses don't change and can fall behind, but this particular manager was focused on always trying to improve.

In our business, we regularly see businesses overlooking the value of listening to their customers and leveraging data to drive decision-making. They may ignore feedback, resist change, or simply become too comfortable with the status quo. As a result, they miss out on opportunities to innovate, grow, and stay ahead of the competition.

Armed with my new grilling supplies and a reminder of the growth that happens when we try (and fail) new things, I set out to refine my barbecue techniques. I experimented with different marinades, tried new grilling methods, and even sought feedback from friends and family to gauge their preferences.

With each barbecue session, I learned something new. Whether it was mastering the art of indirect grilling or discovering the perfect balance of flavors for a marinade, I was constantly adapting and improving my skills. 

As the summer progressed, my barbecue skills continued to improve. This experience was a great reminder that to grow we have to try new things, we have to be open to feedback, and we have to be willing to change, recalibrate and adapt. 

If the manager of the hardware store didn’t ask for feedback, he’d never know what areas needed improvement or what products customers were hoping to see on the shelves. If he never made those simple changes, chances are he’d see a decrease in sales and customer satisfaction over time. He did what a lot of small business owners are scared to do: embraced continuous learning. 

I’m happy to report that my BBQ skills improved tremendously since that visit to the hardware store (and thanks to the support and insistence of my family and friends that I continue to pursue this new hobby.) I’m also proud to say that I’ve got a lot to learn when it comes to mastering the art and science of the BBQ grill, but I’m open and excited to keep learning.