Chipotle, Part 3

Last week, I told the story of Chipotle Mexican Grills and Paul and Phyllis Willis, pig farmers who are one of their suppliers.  Yesterday, I received an e mail from Mr. Willis that said:

Hi Bud:

Thank you for your comments and yes we do have a great relationship with the folks at Chipotle. Many have been here to the farm where we raise Niman Ranch pigs.  Just this past weekend chefs from around the country and many others including people from Chipotle came to the farm and then on to Des Moines to honor our farmers in a wonderful event called “The Niman Ranch Farmer Appreciation Dinner”.

I think the drink cup is just an extension of that.

Paul Willis
Manager/Farmer
Niman Ranch Pork Company

I thought this was pretty cool.  I appreciated the fact that Mr. Willis took the time to acknowledge the blog post.  I also was impressed that the folks at Chipotle sent it to him (I doubt that Mr. Willis was a regular reader of this blog in the past.  I hope he becomes one in the future). 

The whole chain of events reinforces what I had to say about Chipotle’s practice of building strong relationships with its constituencies. 

If you check out Chipotles’ website, you’ll see that they do a pretty good job of building relationships with their customers too.  It’s fun and interactive.  I particularly like the free music they offer.  Check it out – and if you already haven’t stop in to a Chipotle if they have one where you live.  Try the Bud’ Special Bowl – chicken, rice, pinto beans, pico de gallo and corn salsa with cheese and lettuce.  Top it off with a little Tabasco green sauce.  Muy delicious; or just order what ever you want.  They’ll make it up fresh right before your eyes.

Chipotle is an example of a company that started small, got real big, real fast but still acts like a small business.  As you’ve seen in my previous posts, they do a great job of building employee engagement and commitment and supplier relationships; and they provide good food, inexpensively, in a clean, fun environment.  They are a company that is the living embodiment of the common sense advice in my book: 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations:

• Clarity of purpose and direction;
• Committed and engaged employees;
• Skillful execution of things that matter; and
• Strong, lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with important constituencies.

Rock on Chipotle!

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blogs: www.CareerSuperStar.com for common sense advice on becoming the life and career star you are meant to be; and www.CommonSenseDay.com to learn more about Use Your Common Sense Day -- November 4, and to read stories of common sense in action.

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

[stew]

how do they keep their guacamole from turning dark? amazing, a great concept. i wish i lived near one...