I’ve been “In-N-Out” and off the blogging “grid” a few weeks now.
To be candid it was a nice break! Sometimes it feels like we’re leashed to technology. Smart phones and tablets make it easier to stay connected while you’re out on holiday — but that same technology also makes it tougher to truly “get away from it all.” Some might say they have no choice and like that it makes them feel busy. Indispensable.
Not me. I was fortunate to break away from the technology routine and remained largely unplugged as I was out and about. There was even an epic wind in the face journey with large parts of the ride located in areas of the U.S. with minimal cell coverage and some areas that found it difficult to spell Wi-Fi. It was a great opportunity to focus on the ride and explore some terrific byways. There will be more posts on that journey as I work to put the “words-to-paper.”
If you’re wondering if I’m still employed? Thankfully, yes!
Speaking of jobs… We have a plethora of amazing burger joints in Oregon, but whenever I leave the state and its in the area I have to visit an In-N-Out! They are great burgers, very few can argue that. And I’ve never seen an In-N-Out employee in less than a terrific mood. Smiling…happy…friendly. In reality, In-N-Out has become iconic not just because of the fresh and tasty food, but because of the customer service. They serve each customer how they want, when they want and with extreme enthusiasm; even when the drive-thru line is backed up for blocks. I don’t know if you’ve experienced it, but as I approach the building, I start to feel the joy. The patrons sitting at the picnic tables, devouring their meal. There is even the “secret menu.”
California is the poster child of the typical laid back summer day, but the In-N-Out vibe is efficiency. There are three cashiers. And each and every one of them is focused on a customer. There’s no BS’ing between them, no talk of last night’s date. No cell phone or texting. You see they’re well-trained and they want that upward mobility, In-N-Out promotes from within.
And to say the meal is satisfying would be an understatement. It wasn’t only the food that mattered. You feel like you belonged. I didn’t need to check in, I didn’t need to cough up my e-mail address, I didn’t need to show a “points reward card” and no one badgered me, there was just a feedback loop between worker and customer, that we were enlightened, that we were doing it a better way.
And speaking of enlightenment… during my travels over the last couple of months I spent time in a half-dozen or so Harley-Davidson dealers. And I’m wondering if the Harley-Davidson “close-to-the-customer” philosophy is waning? To my way of thinking the In-N-Out model is what the American business should be. You make a good product, and you keep to it, you pay and take care of your workers and they give back. It should never be about how much profit can be squeezed out of every corner or how do we capture every demographic in all the mature and emerging worldwide markets. As is the case with In-N-Out, just make a good product and keep it up and the money will follow. Be great at a few things instead of OK at all things. Quality is key, and keeping up quality is what makes In-n-Out work. It’s the same now as it was back when it started. Is there anything like that now?
Sure not every Harley dealer is equal and many are more than just a retail outlet. They are often a gathering place where riders come to trade stories and talk with others who share their riding passion. But, as example the gal in the Durango H-D dealer was too busy talking on the phone about her boyfriend issue to answer a question. Yeah, she got around to my question eventually, but not before finishing the call. Or how about the stop at Timpangoes H-D where the salesman must have been so busy mixing his coffee to notice that we just rode in on motorcycles before starting in on his “what’s it gonna take to get you on a new bike” script… The aggressive push by the motor company and the retail strategy to establish a collection of products all linked under a common visual identity – means that sometimes there’s a disconnect between the simple atmosphere of where you feel like you belong vs. how everyone who walks through the dealer door is viewed as a commercial target/opportunity to extract dollars.
In-N-Out is the real deal. And given the mixed press assessment of the Harley-Davidson 2013-model year bikes (little to stimulate excitement other than a new paint scheme), H-D dealers could learn something on the customer service front by modeling the cashiers at In-N-Out.
Photo taken by author and courtesy of In-N-Out.
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