Chipotle Mexican Grills and Supplier Relationships

As I mention in my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, common sense leaders build strong, lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with important outside constituencies.

Chipotle Mexican Grills are my favorite fast food restaurant.  They serve interesting, healthy Mexican food – and they do it quickly and consistently well.  The leaders of Chipotle work hard to create an interesting vibe – a little off beat.  For example, they post interesting little stories on their iced tea and soda cups.  Recently, I came across this one…

People We’re Pleased to Know, Part 3

“You wouldn’t look at Larry Cleverley and think Wall Street Executive.  His long, flowing gray hair and muddy boots just don’t go with a suit.  But that’s what he was, until fate brought him home to Mingo Iowa, and the family farm.

“Larry made it his mission to educate the good folks of Iowa about the virtues of organic vegetables, turning the farm that’s been in his family for generations into a sustainable farming oasis.

“Every Saturday, Larry is at the Des Moines farmers’ market.  He’s the one surrounded by shoppers snapping up his fresh lollo rosa, arugula and mizuna.  You might overhear him touting the merits of roquette with more spice and radicchio with better balance.  Larry’s produce is a mainstay at nearly all of the region’s better restaurants and on dinner plates across Iowa.

“We like to think we have a kindred spirit in Larry.  He’s influencing the way people eat, just as we here at Chipotle aspire to do, by showing them that food grown right makes eating more interesting, and it tastes better too.”

Larry Cleveley is a Chipotle supplier.  Chipotle leaders choose to recognize him by putting his story on their soft drink cups – so their customers (people like me, and through this article, people like you), get to know a little bit about a pretty cool guy.  If I ever find myself in Des Moines on a Saturday during farmers’ market season, you can bet that I’ll stop by to visit Larry.

The common sense point here is simple.  Chipotle leaders have found an interesting and entertaining way of building strong, lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with one of their most important constituencies – their suppliers.  I, for one, can hardly wait for Part 4 of people they’re pleased to know.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the life and career star you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Comments

[Ina Matijevic]

This is fantastic!
You don't eat just food, but emotions, sympathy, friendship, LOVE!
Great idea for my future organic restaurant and organic croatian foundation.Thank You!

Da li Vi pricate hrvatski ili mi se samo cini da imate hrvatsko prezime?

Puno lijepih, toplih, suncanih pozdrava iz Hrvatske!

p.s.
Holly grail lies in humor:-()It's not material,isn't it?!