A lesson on how consultants can make a Difference in an organization.
Last week, we took some friends to a new restaurant, ‘Steve’s Place,’ and noticed that the waiter who took our order carried a spoon in his shirt pocket.
It seemed a little strange. When the busboy brought our water and utensils, I observed that he also had a spoon in his shirt pocket.
Looking around, I saw that all the staff had spoons in their pockets. When the waiter came back to serve our soup I inquired, ‘Why the spoon?’
‘Well, ‘he explained, ‘the restaurant’s owner hired Andersen Consulting to revamp all of our processes. After several months of analysis, they concluded that the spoon was the most frequently dropped utensil. It represents a drop frequency of approximately 3 spoons per table per hour.
If our personnel are better prepared, we can reduce the number of trips back to the kitchen and save 15 man-hours per shift.’
As luck would have it, I dropped my spoon and he replaced it with his spare. ‘I’ll get another spoon next time I go to the kitchen instead of making an extra trip to get it right now.’ I was impressed.
I also noticed that there was a string hanging out of the waiter’s fly.
Looking around, I saw that all of the waiters had the same string hanging from their flies. So, before he walked off, I asked the waiter, ‘Excuse me, but can you tell me why you have that string right there?’
“Oh, certainly!’ Then he lowered his voice. ‘Not everyone is so observant. That consulting firm I mentioned also learned that we can save time in the restroom.
By tying this string to the tip of our you-know-what, we can pull it out without touching it and eliminate the need to wash our hands, shortening the time spent in the restroom by 76.39%.
I asked quietly, ‘After you get it out, how do you put it back?’
‘Well,’ he whispered, ‘I don’t know about the others, but I use the spoon.’
Dining out tonight? Bring your own spoon! 
Barry Wells on 
Julie on 
Charles Stanley on 
Adrienne on 
Amy Hagerup on 
Twitter: timbo1973
Hi Julie
That’s a great story. It made me LOL!
It just goes to show that not all time-saving improvements are for the best!
Thanks for sharing.
Tim
Tim Bonner recently posted..Are You Paying Too Much For AWeber?
Twitter: jmd164
Hi Tim and Welcome,
Glad you enjoyed the story, I thought it was funny as well. You’re right, there are some areas where we just need to take the time.
Thanks for stopping by Tim and enjoy your weekend.
Julie
Twitter: adriennesmith40
Hey Julie,
I’ve heard that one but had forgot how it ended. Thanks for that chuckle. Great way to end my day!
~Adrienne
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Twitter: jmd164
Hi Adrienne,
I’d never heard this one before. A friend of mine sent it too me and I thought it was quiet funny. Glad you got a chuckle to end your day.
Have a great weekend Adrienne and thanks for stopping by.
Julie
Hi Julie,
Why! This post cracked me up! You had my attention the whole time!
Excuse me, but I don’t care with what you’re taking your thing out or in, in the bathroom, you MUST wash those hands ANYWAYS!!! Purely disgusting and it reminded me how many times my mother has told me that in restaurants you eat a lot of S**t! Now, tell me you’re not serious about using the spoon thing?
You are very observant, and I get that because I’m the same way and I don’t even understand why people aren’t.
Thanks for this fun post
Sylviane Nuccio recently posted..Why Do You Need To Use The Law Of Detachment To Attract What You Want
Twitter: jmd164
Hi Sylviane and Welcome!
Sorry for the delay in replying, here now.
I can’t really take any praise for being observant (although, I most certainly will be from now on!) – a friend of mine sent me this yarn and I though it was funny. I’ve also heard some wild stories of the goings on in restaurants, it really does pay to eat out at places you’ve had recommended.
Glad you enjoyed it Sylviane.
Take Care
Julie
Twitter: barry_wells
Hi Julie, thanks for the chuckle. I was taking it all in until you mentioned the string.
I’ve heard something similar, but it’s more like “I know its on the end of it somewhere”
Enjoy your holiday mate
Barry
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Twitter: jmd164
Hi Barry,
It is well written and it was towards the end before I realized it’s just a yarn. Glad you enjoyed it.
One week is just not long enough. Still, it was really nice and oh so peaceful.
Thanks Barry, hope yourself and wife are keeping well
Julie