My Greatest Return on Investment: People

One of the greatest lessons I learned at an early age came from a giant in the restaurant industry, Norman Brinken, founder of Brinken International, a restaurant conglomerate that founded such industry changing concepts as Steak and Ale, Bennigans, Chilis, Macaroni Grille and Maggianos. It was Norman who created the first salad bar and introduced the idea of casual dining in the chain restaurant concepts.

As a young Steak and Ale Manager in Miami, Florida in 1977, Norman, Chairman and CEO paid me a visit, took me to dinner and forever changed my life. At the tender age of 23, Norman told me I was a star and predicted great things for me. He had me at the star thing. He told me to find the best talent and not to worry about age, sex, or race, but be like the NFL draft and take the best player available. It was a valuable lesson and one I will never forget.

Here was a man worth hundreds of millions of dollars trusting me to run his restaurants and telling me I was a star. I would have run through a wall for him. Norman passed away last year leaving some of the most successful restaurants in the industry. He always had time for so many young people. One of those restaurant titans is my good friend and mentor, Chris Sullivan. Chris was one of my first bosses at Steak and Ale. Where Norman left off, Chris stepped up and took my development to a new level. Chris was the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of OSI Partners, which includes Outback Steakhouse, Carrabas, Bonefish Grille, Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Roys.
 
OSI is perhaps the most successful restaurant company in the industry. Chris always told me I was a star and that I could do anything I wanted if I just focused (easier said than done for me).  And, when I decided to open my first business in 1981, he flew to meet me to ask me to reconsider. While unsuccessful in convincing me to stay, once again he gave me the confidence that I could do anything.

Today, I am surrounded by talented, young and mature professionals at Laser Spine Institute. I am lucky to come to work every day and see such stars. I look back and think maybe this is how Norman and Chris felt as they got to lead an incredible team.  I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by the best talent available. I value them, try to empower them, and treat them like family. It’s a small investment that had paid huge dividends. I strongly believe that this philosophy has attributed to our outstanding patient satisfaction. As the CEO, it makes me very proud to know that over 90% of our patients would recommend Laser Spine Institute to a family or friend.  I invite you to share your comments regarding your experience with LSI.