The Diner in my somewhat sleepy town is painfully empty.  It is as painfully empty as most any store or restaurant you walk by these days.  No doubt this change causes incredible stress to the owner of each business leaving them way too much time to consider all the extra things they could do to try to change their fortunes. We are all there or worried we will be there.

But let's turn those thoughts around.  How could you do LESS to change your fortunes?  Consider that people actually do NOT want more from you and would welcome you giving them an amazingly great and simple moment.  If there ever was a time that the saying "Longing for simpler times" rings true it is now. I hope that fact remains long after the recession is over.

So why can't that Diner end the stress that comes from maintaining that enormous menu that is trying to please everyone?  What if they just focused on making the PERFECT burger, fries and shake?  Every ounce of energy focused into a finite offering that will be extraordinary.

No more.  No less.

In the process, they will have reinvented their business.  They will have found a way to be different than their competitors.  They will have found a way to have people start talking about them again and spreading the word.  Not from that extra mailer or ugly banner with a "buy one get one free" offer.  Just connect to what people went to Diners for in simpler times and deliver it with perfection.

The Shake Shack in New York does just that and the lines run around the block....and back.

And it is true for every business.

What did "simpler times" in your industry look like?   What is the Burger, Fries and Shake of your industry? Of your specific business?  Are they the absolute best anyone could ever find?