This is a visual book summary of How Did You Do It, Truett? by S. Truett Cathy. This short book answers the question: “How did S. Truett Cathy turn a small diner into a multi-billion dollar Chick-fil-A chain?” by laying out the recipe of his success.
Table of Contents
Visual BOOK SUMMARY OF How Did You Do It, Truett? by S. Truett Cathy (INFOGRAPHIC)
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Here are some of my insights from the infographic visual book summary of How Did You Do It, Truett? by S. Truett Cathy:
1. Really Want To
Success begins when you really want to succeed.
- Success = common sense + hard work
- Luck = hard work + taking advantage of unexpected opportunities + understanding the value of a dollar
Focus on simplicity and fundamentals!
2. Timing And Sacrifice
There is a time and place for everything in life including business. Best to start early in life when obligations are few.
Start small and grow slow while dreaming big.
Sacrifice the idea of becoming an “instant success” and always be a giver.
3. IDentify Product
Chick-fil-A became multi-billion dollar company with a seemingly simple chicken sandwich.
But the reality was that there was a whole lot of experimentation with the recipe. Samples were handed out and feedback taken to heart.
Success Formula: Experiment with the recipe. Give away samples and listen to your customers.
Coming up with a name takes time as it is best to be unique.
Keep the product simple but use high quality ingredients.
4. Courtesy Pays
Courtesy is cheap, but pays great dividends.
Truett learned from Ritz Carlton to say, “My pleasure” after a guest says, “Thank you.”
He implemented this phrase with Chick-fil-A with great success.
Second-Mile Service: Service that goes beyond expectations and wows the customer. For example, at Chick-fil-A a customer expects to be greeted warmly with a smile. That’s first-mile service. Second-mile service is something that wows a customer like fresh flowers on the table or toilet paper folded nicely that’s found in luxury hotels.
Truett tells a great story about how a woman stopped at one of their North Carolina restaurants. She had left her pocketbook 200-miles back and had another 200-miles to go with no money for food or gas. The team members collected $26 out of their own pockets and gave it to her for gas. This is definitely second-mile service.
5. A Good Name
A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:1
It is possible to be successful and honest at the same time. Run your business by your values.
Example: Chick-fil-A closes on Sunday to honour the Lord in line with their Christian values.
6. People First
People make or break a business.
Treat others the way you want to be treated. Having a family like environment works well. The key is to care.
Hiring Tip: Select people carefully. Be patient. Attitude matters a lot!
7. Right Location
A good location doesn’t guarantee success but a bad location can ruin a business.
Always be on a lookout for good locations. For example, Chick-fil-A took advantage of the mall wave and opened lots of restaurants within malls.
Regardless of the location, it best to be involved in the community: churches, schools, neighbourhoods for the business to grow and thrive.
8. How Did They Do It?
Truett did NOT do it alone.
Success always involves other people.
First, it was Truett’s brother Ben and then Truett’s wife and sons along with the 50,000 people working for Chick-fil-A.
They did it!
What Next?
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