Last week, I took a day off from my job at XCINO and decided to spend a day working at McDonald’s. I was lucky enough to be introduced to one of the top franchise owners in Canada and had the opportunity to work at one of the best McDonald’s in Ontario.

This day I spent there changed the way I think about business and life. More specifically, it gave me a strong reality check into how a successful business should run.

I learned about every facet of the restaurant. I made Sausage & Egg McMuffins in the morning and helped man the drive-thru at lunch. I learned how they forecast sales for a day and how this forecast effects the day-to-day operations.

It’s such a streamlined operation. I was moving as fast as I could but I was still so much slower than the rest of the employees. I personally thought I picked up things quick, I’m sure the employees there felt a little different. :)

The most fundamental reminder came from thinking about the restaurant’s operation as a whole and how important each person is. In your own business sometimes it’s easy to forget and thank people for everything they do. Each person is so vital and important to your business.

I thought I would share the lessons I learned not only from working at McDonalds but from the conversations I had with the owner who is so genuinely artistic and passionate about what he does.

1. I was reminded that if you focus on something, even if it’s only in your head and work at it daily, stay dedicated – results will come.
   
2. I learned how important it is for employees to feel like they are working somewhere with high standards & striving to be the best.
   One employee re-wrapped a burger because the McDonald’s logo was off center. He did this without anyone asking him to. He was lightning fast when he did it.
   
3. I learned that a strong culture can be built anywhere. But, it’s not easy. It must be built one day at a time with the right people on the team. As an owner, you need to live and breathe this culture daily without letting your guard down.
   
4. I learned how important it is to love what you do. A deep desire to keep pushing forward and yearning for perfection is the foundation to create something artistic.
   The owner said to me, “I’m chasing perfection even though I know it doesn’t exist.”
   
5. I learned that if you don’t have a great product or great people, you don’t have anything.
   
6. I learned that if you decide what you want your business to stand for and accept nothing less, if you have faith – one day, every employee will preach your message.
   
7. I learned how important it is to stand for excellence in everything you do. From head to toe, you must be an example of the culture you want to create. The owner was nothing short of a true inspiration.
   
8. I learned the importance of having a general understanding of every function of your business & recognizing its importance in the general scheme of things. Then put people in place that go to the right level of depth in each area. It’s a lesson we all say we know, but it’s rarely executed effectively.
   
9. I learned that you should find the right people and then stay out of their way. Give them space to learn and make decisions, they will blow you away.

I’m so appreciative of this experience. This is restaurant was the most well-run business I’ve ever witnessed. I’ll do my best to apply these lessons to my business and life.

Photo Cred: PinoyChicago