A Restaurant Owner, A Manager and A Cook Walked Into A Bar...

And they started arguing about who had the most important job.

The Restaurant Owner said, "This restaurant was opened by my father 30 years ago and people come from across the country to MY restaurant to eat MY food!!"

The Manager scoffed as he swallowed his 5th shot of whiskey.

"Pffft! You do nothing here but sit in the corner, talking about your father and the good old days! You don't even know what's on the menu! I, on the other hand, have to make sure the tables are in good order, the kitchen is well stocked, and that the customers are happy!"

Angrily, the Owner retorted, "I could replace you anytime...there are dozens of people out there who can do what you're doing, for far less money!"

"Yes, but how do you even contribute to the business?" The Manager yelled. "You're just collecting the money that we work so hard to make for you, and all you do is to threaten to cut our salaries!"

At this point, the Cook who had been listening in to the argument stood up and said, "I've had enough of this rubbish - I quit, and I'm going to join the other restaurant down the street - they've offered me more money, and I don't have to put up with this SH*T everyday."

He then grabbed his jacket and left.

Two months later, the Restaurant closed down because nobody had the secret recipes or could prepare the food as well as the Cook.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

At your workplace, are you the Owner, the Manager, or the Cook?

Are you critical to the running of the place? Are you easily replaceable? Do you hold the 'secret sauce' of how the place is run?

Because if you're not, your job is at risk!

Here are some ideas:

1. If You're The Restaurant Manager (or the Middle-man)

Realise that you might just be the 'middle-man' tying things togethere - and indeed, you are replaceable.

Like the 'Bank Manager' who doesn't have the technical investment management skills of his Investment Analysts, nor the selling skills (or relationships) of his Sales Managers. In fact, his only role is to make sure both parties are happy, hence he's at their mercy.

You need to start asking myself - how do I move up the 'value chain' and become indispensible? How do I create more value to my clients? How can I tighten my grip on the more important parts of my business?

Until you move away from being 'just the middleman', you're always going to be replaced.

2. If You're The Owner (or the Boss)

So what if you're sitting all the way at the top as the Managing Director or CEO of the company?

Do you realise that you're the most expensive line item on the balance sheet, and if you're not actively creating 10x value for your shareholders, they are going to find some who will!

Do you own the relationships of the largest clients who buy your services?

Do you have a pipeline of 'replacement cooks' whom you can call upon when your top chef leaves?

Can you even do the cooking in such an event?

Find out ways to become more relevant so you will be part of the solution, not the problem.

3. If You're The Cook (or the one with the technical skills)

Good for you! You're one of the most important gears in the machinery!

However, you can't always be slaving away in the kitchen because your salary just won't 'scale upwards' as a kitchen cook forever.

Can you learn how to manage a bigger team? Or do more value-added activities like designing new dishes or menu formats?

Do you know which other kitchens are looking for Talent like yours, so you have a 'back-up plan' when things go wrong?

Do you, perhaps someday, want to start your very own restaurant?

Never rest on your laurels and become complacent! Keep wondering what your next moves are going to be, and keep pressing on!!

Listen to us every Thursday morning 8am on SPH Radio, KISS92FM - Happy At Work with Adrian & Yen!