[rank_math_breadcrumb]

The invaluable lesson of a leftover pizza

  • Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Author:  Paddy Upton

Short Description

The invaluable lesson ‘Exposure’ was one of the significant events that rolled into town with the covid circus. The carpet was pulled back to expose things like pre-existing leadership ineptitude, business weaknesses and relationship flaws. Unhappy employees became unhappier. Unhappy couples separated. Unhappy clients cut ties. The character of political leadership was revealed. Two areas […]

The invaluable lesson ‘Exposure’ was one of the significant events that rolled into town with the covid circus. The carpet was pulled back to expose things like pre-existing leadership ineptitude, business weaknesses and relationship flaws.

Unhappy employees became unhappier.

Unhappy couples separated.

Unhappy clients cut ties.

The character of political leadership was revealed.

Two areas of exposure that resonated most in corporate workshops I’ve been running over the last year, have been ‘employee engagement’, and ‘client service’ (or more accurately client engagement).

Like our health, we know how important these two things are – we need no convincing. If we were to be honest however, many of us have been guilty of paying some level of lip service to these three things.

The invaluable lesson of a leftover pizza

Pre-covid, we may have got away with it. Today, no longer.

As we move through and beyond Covid, most organizations that are not sincere about making BOTH their employees and their clients feel genuinely valued, simply won’t cut it. Many have already suffered irreparable damage.

Having a great product, competitive prices and cutting-edge systems are no longer enough for lasting success. The carpet has been pulled back – how you treat people will be being exposed – and it will count.

Back to that arbitrary picture. I joined mates for a beer and pizza at a local restaurant over the weekend. As the waitress was clearing our table, I asked for a doggy bag and casually explained to my mates how much I enjoy a fried egg on left-over pizza for breakfast.

The next morning I opened my doggy bag to find left-over pizza, PLUS an egg the waitress had added. This simple gesture of one uncooked egg, worth maybe 50cents, was enough to earn Old Town Italy in Constantia (Cape Town) my loyalty, and recommendation.

It begs two questions:

  • What metaphorical egg-gesture can you offer your client, and
  • how can you nurture your employees towards being that waitress?

Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter

The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

Similar to The invaluable lesson of a leftover pizza

Rob Caskie

It is difficult to conceive that 11 months on from National Lock down on 26 March 2020, our tiny business survives and feels strongly that the tide is turning. What a significant time and mighty relief for us, acutely mindful that so many are struggling desperately just to survive. Despite it not being my natural […]

  • Author: Rob Caskie
Blake Morgan - The Modern Customer Podcast

Do your Data-Driven Marketing efforts feel like a shot in the dark? It doesn’t have to be that way.    With the power of today’s abundance of data, brands can use a measured and data-driven approach to build an agile and compelling customer experience.   According to Tiffany Perkins-Munn, Head of Data and Analytics at J.P. Morgan Chase, […]

  • Author: Blake Morgan
WS Logo 512

LONG LIVE THE COMFORT ZONE. It’s been getting a bad rap for years! Popular activities for team-building include exercises to help teams think outside the box, workshops that force us outside our comfort zones, seminars are designed to inspire attendees to embrace discomfort in the name of personal growth … the list goes on. As […]

  • Author: Juanita Vorster
Jacob Morgan

Are you hiring employees of the past or employees of the future and Do You Need People Analytics? How we think about employees and what they value has changed drastically over the years. Decades ago, employees were there to punch their time cards and climb the corporate ladder. Even just a few years ago, employees […]

  • Author: Jacob Morgan
Scott McKain

On a recent flight, at almost every stop along the way, the airline I had chosen reminded me that I was flying with “the best” So can you over-compliment your CX. Airport signage told me…the CEO appearing on the pre-flight safety video told me…the flight attendant announcements told me…well, you get the picture. The problem […]

  • Author: Scott McKain

Acceptance – Cave In or Lean In?: “When you argue with reality you lose – but only 100% of the time.” Byron Katie I love Katie’s words because they speak to the simple truth – we can’t change reality. Yet there are times in our lives when we don’t like or want the reality we […]

  • Author: Niki Seberini
Ryan Estis

I first met Julie Faupel during a week-long personal growth retreat and learnt how to get Closer to Your Customer. The retreat required a total digital detox and abstinence of any conversation related to career, work or business. Julie and I became fast friends and for me personally, the retreat experience was transformational. Fortunately, the […]

  • Author: Ryan Estis
WS Logo 512

Elon Musk Activates Starlink internet service to keep Ukrainians connected to the world. Ukraine (27 February 2022) – The Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine tweeted Elon Musk asking him to get Starlink internet into the country, and the South African-born American entrepreneur activated it immediately… reconnecting Ukrainians with the world. The Russian invasion has impacted internet […]

  • Author: WeSpeak Global

Our Mission

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME