Sep 10, 2024
Thunder Bay,
Canada
“Let’s head to Maltese and grab some steaks, plus some meats for your folks.”
Can’t read the full email – click here for the online version
First
off, apologies for getting this out to you a day later than normal. Even yours truly is finding it a challenge to stay on schedule when one is gallivanting about the world. This time I am driving our daughter’s car from Calgary, Alberta to Kingston, Ontario. It’s only a 35–36 hour drive, depending upon whether you stay 100% in Canada or venture through the States for half of the trip.
Fortunately, the
weather was excellent, and I was able to access some great podcasts thus far.
In the middle of Canada sits a small city, now called Thunder Bay, on the western shore of Lake Superior. During the hey day of Canada’s fur trade, this spot was a key trading post. Big voyageur canoes, laden with European goods would leave Montreal in early spring, and after a journey of several months, make it to this
point. Meanwhile, traders and indigenous peoples, would make their journey in smaller vessels from all parts west and north of here, laden with furs.
Late in the 19th century, after the Canadian Pacific Railway had been built, connecting Vancouver with Eastern Canada in conjunction with the famous St. Lawrence Seaway with a system of locks connecting all the Great Lakes with
the Atlantic, did this area become more important.
Goods from Asia, wheat and beef from the Prairies, could now be transported cheaply and quickly to the port on this inland Sea and moved to all ports east via freighter.
Like many places in Canada, this area soon attracted its share of immigrants.
People
from Finland to work in the forests.
Czechs and Poles came to work the docks.
93 years ago, in 1931, a man and his wife from Italy started a small business. They converted the main floor of a small house into a local grocery store, serving produce. And, because refrigeration was not yet a thing, delivering
ice to people’s homes. They lived above the store.
Eventually they bought the home next door, so they could expand the store.
We visited this business on the suggestion of my friends when my wife was thinking of purchasing some good meats, that could be packaged for freezing for my folks. In their mind, this store offered the best meats in the city. They weren’t wrong.
Firstly, when you first arrive, you are prompted to pull a number. They get so busy, that they will have 5-6 people behind the meat counter, helping folks get their orders and the waiting line can be deep. Especially on Friday, after work, as everyone lines up to get their favorite cuts for the barbeque.
Behind the serving employees, is another whole area, with what looked like 3-4
butchers, preparing cuts to then be moved to the coolers in front.
But that is not all they serve.
You can also find local cheeses, sausages, preserves and breads. All locally sourced or made in house.
Of course, being busy is no guarantee of good products. The real “proof of the pudding” is in the
consumption.
Well, I can tell you that that evening, the steaks, fresh off the BBQ, were some of the best tasting, most tender I have ever had.
Which makes you think. What is it that has led this small company to not only survive 3 generations and 93 years, but thrive?
Several things:
- A dedication to quality. This is evident in the finished product. But starts from their sourcing of the best local raw ingredients to their attention to detail on the finishing of it.
- Creation of a system to handle any volume of traffic they
get.
- Passion and pride in being the best at what they do.
I’ve written about this, many times in the past. You may get some initial traction by offering your product or services at a discount to your competition. But you will not be able to last 5 years, let alone 93, if that remains your “Market Dominating Position”.
The best spot to be is the become known as the premium solution and offer the best product and service. Then you are in control of the demand and can charge premium prices. Now there is no price competition, and you can provide for not only your family but that of your employees as well for
years to come.
Until next week,
Stay healthy and focus on profit!
- Hugh
The “Profit Accelerator” Expert
P.S. Did you know that even tiny improvements of 1-3%, in just 12 fundamental areas
of your business could give you 50% and more improvement to your bottom-line? Test out my brand-new Profit Acceleration SimulatorTM and discover the true impact of a conservative estimate of Profit Acceleration initiatives on your business and see for yourself. (https://hughtafel.com/sim)
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