Wednesday 16 June 2010

Hold The Mustard

My first experience of work was as a “Saturday boy” in Selfridges in Oxford Street at the time part of the Sears.
The person at the top of that business empire was Sir Charles Clore, one of Britain's most successful post-war businessmen and philanthropists.

Check him out.
In the way that my life has always been, I met him on several occasions and he was a truly inspirational person - one of those rare people who can influence you throughout your life.
Quick story
One Saturday he strolled through the department in which I was working and stopped for his favourite salt beef sandwich, I served his sandwich and he called for the department manger to pass the time of day.
He mentioned en passant that if we created a square rye bread, rather than the traditional oval, we would have less waste and a “neater” sandwich.
Needless to say on his departure a phalanx of underlings gathered instructions were issued and the Selfridges Bakery were briefed to develop a square rye bread.
A few months and many trials later a perfect square rye bread was now in situ.
Mr Clore again, he strolled through the store, again stopped for his salt beef sandwich, on seeing what was on his plate, gestured for the manager to ask him what this square abomination was.
“Rye bread is oval some traditions should not be changed” he said.
Needless to say the next day the oval bread was back in place.
Moral of the story; if we always do everything our boss asks we would lose our jobs.