Business problems can be likened to trying to make doughnuts for sale. You need the right proportion of the right ingredients, each performing a critical function to achieve the result. Then they need to be presented for sale. With such a simple list of ingredients, an apparently simple process, ready demand, it’s hard to imagine that this could be problematic for some. I call it, the ‘doughnut making problem’. Doughnuts need not only critical ingredients, but proper preparation for them to be made into the delectable, flocculent treats that they are. Here 4 bakers illustrate the problem.
Doughnut problem - 1
Our doughnut maker had visions of mass growth and opening several local bakeries. An initial survey evidences the demand, and our baker is ready to execute. The ingredients are assembled but critically no yeast, flour, or sugar. The would-be baker is baffled and confused. S/he stares at the ingredients, expecting it to all happen, and experiments with mixing, the results are an absolute disaster.
Doughnut problem - 2
This business is established, various essentials assembled, different recipes are brought in a cursory review gives the would-be baker confidence that it’s an easy task. The key ingredients are assembled, but the combination of ingredients and the steps to produce the finished goods baffle the doughnut maker. S/he spends hours, contemplating the ingredients confused, tries several approaches, each fails. Finally, s/he puts it all in the microwave but of course out comes a congealed mess.
Doughnut problem - 3
Our doughnut maker buys all the ingredients, mixes them, well, prepares them well and out comes this delectable, deep golden, perfect ball of delight. Success! Sadly s/he looks at the ball and feels hollow. A period of pondering starts. Perhaps they should be filled with vanilla custard, perhaps raspberry jam, or strawberry jam. Doubt kicks in. The doughnuts are eventually stuffed in a draw – hidden! They cannot be sold or consumed because the doughnut maker is full of uncertainty that they are good enough for sale. Eventually, they are thrown away.
Doughnut problem - 4
Our doughnut maker here is an action taker with little time for timewasters. One look at the well-equipped stainless-steel kitchen, the frantic team, the rich array of doughnuts, the array of dressing; sprinkles, salted caramel sauce, pecan nuts, drizzles of every description tell you all you need to know. Our doughnut maker here is across every function. S/he regularly paces up and down the manufacturing area, supervising the process. Out come the doughnuts, a colourful array of treats which are the epitome of temptation.
They come out for sale – in heaps, delivered by a harassed team. They are plonked on trays, in front of bemused customers, there is no description of the varieties, no packaging, the staff are overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed. The customers, that have assembled, drawn in by the sweet aroma, stare at the, doughnuts, the doughnut maker, the staff, and make a slow retreat out of the door. The doughnut maker is perplexed, then livid. Uncouth customers and useless staff, he decides. Eventually, the Head of Sales nervously, asks for a strategy meeting, the ‘helpless’ individual is called ‘hapless’ and given short shrift before being fired.
The exhausted team, one by one slowly head for the door. The doughnut maker calls them ALL names – too inappropriate to print. Alone, and thinking quickly – a decision is made. Tomorrow is a new day, it can be turned around, doing exactly what has always been done!
Some of the most prevalent issues to emerge from initial deep business health checks, early mentoring and coaching sessions can be summarised in each of these scenarios. The learning points are plentiful!
Which ‘doughnut maker’ are you? What lessons do you glean from the scenarios?
