So I took my daughter for a ride out to her University in Oklahoma City last week. The winter storms in the midwest invariably screwed up my return travel plans so I got to spend the night in a hotel near the airport. It was a long day and there were some good football games on so I decided to get a pizza.

Directly across the street was a strip center and instead of leveraging my doordash app I decided to take a walk in the rain and visit this Domino’s Pizza. Upon entry, I noticed that the store looked new. Being a business broker I did a quick search and noticed that the layout was the new concept. Open Kitchen, Glass frontage, Digital time clock for your order to ensure timely service. But I took particular notice of some metallic steps…leading up tot glass where one (probably a child) could watch with wonder the making of a pie in all its glory. A bold sign said, “Young Pizza Inspector Step Up To Watch The DOUGH SHOW”.

Cute and made an impact, I immediately had a nostalgic feeling wishing my son was here as no doubt like any young child he would have claimed the stairs and engaged in playful banter with the pie makers. I thought to myself “Genius” they took the feeling from tastes to the heart.

Last evening I visited another food retailer…different sector and I had been in many of their stores over the years. They too had transitioned to an open concept. Glass exposed what was before a “secret proprietary process with special equipment”. Now in all their glory, they put on a show for customers crafting their delicious meals. I asked the owner if they had taken the next step. He responded quizzically, “What’s that?”. I said “do you Facebook live, Instagram TV, or have a youtube channel putting on a show?” He responded sadly no, I don’t know how, and if I had someone who knew how I might.

The humorous thing was that the average age of the employees in both locations was probably early 20’s. Right at his fingertips were people expert at leveraging every social media platform known to man.

So here are my takeaways:

1. Human Beings Love a Show. We are voyeurs by nature and that is why Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok Thrive…use them to extend your brand.
2. Use your people and their latent skills. Your staff has many talents and networks that can help you expand your business
3. Connect Emotionally.
4. There are no secrets and in 2021 nothing is secret so get in front loud fast and constantly.

For more insights on small business and on Transworld Business Advisors visit me at www.yourfloridabusinessbroker.com or all me at 321-287-0349. Transworld Business Advisors is the largest business brokerage in the world with over 260 offices worldwide and 10,000 plus businesses sold. Michael Shea is Partner and Senior Broker in Transworld Orlando Office and has sold more businesses than any broker in Transworlds History.