Rest in Peace – A Lesson from Ben & Jerry’s
![3776524035_6392282567[1]](http://www.businessclassinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/3776524035_63922825671.jpg "3776524035_6392282567[1]")
A few years ago, Artie and I toured the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Vermont. We spent most of our time in the graveyard where I was like a kid in a candy store - odd and slightly inappropriate behavior for a graveyard.
Surrounded by a white picket fence, there were rows and rows of tombstones – perhaps thirty in all - each with the name of a flavor, the years of it’s life and a short description.
Don’t you just love the angel-winged ice cream cones?
In addition to Economic Crunch (shown at left), some of my favorites were:
Blondies Are A Swirls Best Friend
DILBERT’S WORLD Totally Nuts
Duff & D’oh! Nuts
Making Whoopee Pie
The Full Vermonty
The description under Miz Jelena’s Sweet Potato Pie reads:
One potato, two potato, Sweet Potato Pie.
No one could appreciate it.
So we had to let it die.
I could keep on describing but you’d get more from watching this one-minute video.
According to a Roadside America story,
“The Graveyard exists because of Ben & Jerry’s never-ending experimentation with odd ice cream flavors*; some are just too odd for their own good. Each year eight to twelve — those with the lowest sales — are “killed” and become candidates for this fatland Boot Hill. The company has eliminated over 200 flavors, but the Graveyard hosts 27 graves so far, perhaps enough to get the point across.”
What a clever way to send a clear message about mistakes and innovation!
What a brilliant tool for preserving institutional memory!
Like many companies, Ben & Jerry’s buries their mistakes.
But unlike many companies, Ben & Jerry’s doesn’t leave them underground. Instead they preserve the memories and lessons learned with celebratory flair, a hint of caution and even, a dollop of humor.
Allowing the mistakes and their makers to rest in peace.
copyright 2009 – Jan Bolick, Business Class Inc
To post this quote on your desktop:
- Click on the image.
- Click again to enlarge it.
- Right click and then select “Set as desktop background”.
For a printable (PDF) version, click here.
For over 100 motivational and instructional quotes, visit our Quote Library .
*Note to Kim: See! There’s a chance for Hamburger & French Fries!
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2011-2012
How To Get True Confessions
In many organizations – mistakes are hidden or covered up.
Those that do leak out…well….
You didn’t hear this from me but did you hear about what so and so did? Maybe he’ll finally get the boot this time.
Oh really? I heard it was his fault? Well – all I know is that I had NOTHING to do with it.
And thank goodness for that! I have enough problems of my own. Speaking of which – I’d better go clean ‘em up right now before someone else stumbles across them. You know who I mean!
Is that the way people discuss mistakes in your organization?
Is there any benefit to that approach besides giving Gabby Gossip and Nosy Nelly something to talk about?
More valuable benefits can be gained – Read more
Do You Feel Safe?
In celebration of Mistake Management Month, our featured quote is:
Say it out loud, with feeling, and the words flow beautifully. They have an easy – even elegant sound.
But it’s not so easy to hang out at that portal very long, much less go through it. After all, by definition, a portal has an “imposing appearance”.
And then if it leads to a tunnel or a mine or another dark, scary place full of unknowns…or a bridge and we don’t know what’s Read more
Beat the Heat – A Lesson from Domino’s
It’s getting pretty hot out there, isn’t it?
It happens in our businesses too – though we try to do everything to provide great products and service for our customers – sometimes we mess up.
There is a sure fire formula designed to Beat the Heat in a way that boosts customer loyalty, productivity and morale. And it’s demonstrated perfectly in this true story. Read more
Whose Fault Was It?
Did you see the Cathy cartoon where Cathy picked up her clothes at the cleaners and there were orange spots all over her blouse?
Whose fault was it? As you look for an answer to that question, also look for clues that could help you guess the cleaner’s ratings on productivity, morale and customer loyalty.
Here’s the interchange. Read more
Celebrating Mistakes
No matter how hard we try to avoid making mistakes, there is no way to avoid them altogether.
So what do we do when we make them?
We can ignore them.
Or hide them.
Or blame others.
We can lose relationships over them.
And lose business because of them. Read more
How Do You Manage Mistakes?
If you are like many managers and business owners, you are working hard to boost morale and productivity – trying to make the most of this tough year.
It’s extra hard to do during the dog days of summer and so at Business Class, we are continuing our focus on beating the heat - literally and figuratively.
If you read our July posts (archives available bottom of side bar), you know we are a big advocate of injecting a bit (or a lot) of fun into the normal work week. Mainly for the fun and sanity preserving impact. The resulting boost in morale, productivity and even customer loyalty are big bonuses too. Read more
What Customers Want
The results of a Business Class poll asking customers what they appreciate?
A smile, good eye contact, good manners, a respectful greeting. a thank you, being called by name, quick service, going beyond expectations.
All great things to give to our customers.
As much as we wish for perfection, there will be times that – we mess up. What then? Read more
Stay Posted
-
-
Quote Library – Quick Links
-
-
-
