“Any fool can criticize - and most fools do.” Dale Carnegie
I had one of those interesting conversations with a patron of LBV the other night. It was his first time in and he brought his wife and another couple. As he was leaving he asked if we were going to be making any changes to the menu. I told him that we’re looking at making some modifications for the summer season.
He said that was good because he didn’t like anything on the menu.
Really? Nothing?
Not really he said, but his wife and friends liked everything they had.
But not you?
This is where he explained that he’s extremely picky and by his own admission doesn’t like much of anything.
And I’m supposed to change my menu around someone who doesn’t like anything?
Understand that although we don’t have a large kitchen our tapas-style plates, cheese flights and desserts are getting rave reviews. Kim did a masterful job of putting together great plates that are classy, tasty yet quick to prepare.
This is the classic Product Manager dilemma. How much time and attention do you give that person (company) who is never going to be satisfied? You don’t want to totally ignore them because sometimes great ideas come from those who are never happy. And, if you can satisfy the extremely picky then there’s a good chance that people with a broader palate (actual and metaphorical) will like it as well. However, the time spent trying to please the unappeasable takes you away from other probably more productive things.
Of course, with me the real urge is the stop the person mid-sentence, get everyone else’s attention and say, “OK, please loudly repeat what you just said word for word” and then ask everyone else. “OK, now tell me, what would you do with a suggestion like this”?
I suppose not.
Nod and smile, fellas, nod and smile.
I had one of those interesting conversations with a patron of LBV the other night. It was his first time in and he brought his wife and another couple. As he was leaving he asked if we were going to be making any changes to the menu. I told him that we’re looking at making some modifications for the summer season.
He said that was good because he didn’t like anything on the menu.
Really? Nothing?
Not really he said, but his wife and friends liked everything they had.
But not you?
This is where he explained that he’s extremely picky and by his own admission doesn’t like much of anything.
And I’m supposed to change my menu around someone who doesn’t like anything?
Understand that although we don’t have a large kitchen our tapas-style plates, cheese flights and desserts are getting rave reviews. Kim did a masterful job of putting together great plates that are classy, tasty yet quick to prepare.
This is the classic Product Manager dilemma. How much time and attention do you give that person (company) who is never going to be satisfied? You don’t want to totally ignore them because sometimes great ideas come from those who are never happy. And, if you can satisfy the extremely picky then there’s a good chance that people with a broader palate (actual and metaphorical) will like it as well. However, the time spent trying to please the unappeasable takes you away from other probably more productive things.
Of course, with me the real urge is the stop the person mid-sentence, get everyone else’s attention and say, “OK, please loudly repeat what you just said word for word” and then ask everyone else. “OK, now tell me, what would you do with a suggestion like this”?
I suppose not.
Nod and smile, fellas, nod and smile.
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1 comment:
Some people just like to complain no matter where they are. They are not happy and you can not make them happy. Smile and nod is the best route.
(Still grates on you, right!)
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