Crunch Time
Ready — In 1853, at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York, chef George Crum faced a difficult customer. The diner sent back his fried potatoes, complaining they were too thick and soggy. Crum had two options: give in or get creative. He chose the latter.
Set — Crum sliced the potatoes paper-thin, fried them to a crisp, and sprinkled them with salt. His goal? To make a point. Instead, he made history. The customer loved them. Word spread. Soon Saratoga Chips were on the menu and drawing crowds. Without setting out to be an inventor, Crum stumbled upon one of the most beloved snacks in American history: the potato chip.
What can we learn from Crum’s crunchy moment? He . . .
Turned Frustration into Innovation: Crum didn’t crumble under criticism. He leaned into the moment and created something new.
Let Excellence Speak: Crum’s chips weren’t a gimmick. They were good. Quality turned a prank into a product.
Saw Potential in the Unexpected: What started as a sarcastic gesture became a breakthrough. Great ideas often hide in surprising places.
Rode the Wave of Popularity: Crum went on to open his own restaurant, drawing wealthy patrons with his famous chips.
Built on Opportunity: Crum never patented his creation, yet his name lives on through his culinary legacy.
Grow! — Use complaints to spark innovation. Sometimes your best ideas come when you’re under pressure or trying to solve a small problem. So, when you feel the heat, it might be crunch time, and your next big breakthrough could be one idea away.
Two Questions
How can you turn a frustrating situation into opportunity?
Is there a criticism you can leverage creatively?