Restaurant Social Media
Stop Suze Orman from Biting the Hands that Feed Her
I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.
So-called financial “guru” Suze Orman believes the way “that average Americans” can dig their way out of the Global Recession is “to stop going out to eat at restaurants.” Wait. Are you kidding me? Boycott an industry of 13 million workers, the 3rd largest employer in America? This kind of advice sounds like a manure salesperson with a mouthful of samples. Here’s a better idea: maybe Suze’s fund manager friends could throw a few of their recent bonus bucks in the pot instead? After all, it’s Wall Street greed-grabbers, not hard-working foodservice employees who got us in this mess in the first place. Suggesting that the way to recoup an anemic 401k is by shunning the restaurant businessis like bowling for enlightenment; there’s simply no logical cause-and-effect.
By proffering this inane “advice”—which serves only to hurt the one industry that continues to create jobs in this tumbling economy--Ms Orman demonstrates equal parts stupidity and elitism. If her voice was heard only through an obscure blog, I wouldn’t be so concerned. But since October Ms. Orman has continuously opined staying home to eat on her own cable show, Larry King Live, and the Today show. And worse, as a regular guest on Oprah, Orman repeats the same bad advice to Winfrey’s millions ‘o minions. Oy. And since TV feeds on both itself and mediocrity--Fred Allen once famously remarked that TV is called a medium because it’s rare that it’s ever well done--Orman’s fellow pundits from both the media left and the media right—Olberman, Hannity, and O’Reilly—are now spouting the same misguided advice.
Here’s my thought: maybe Suze, Keith, Sean, Bill and Oprah et. al. might want to do a special on which US industry ISN’T in line for a government handout, bailout or get-out-of-jail-free card. Or which industry employs more Americans than General Motors, Wall Street, or Fox News…combined. Yes. It’s us, foodservice. The restaurant industry has 945,000 locations and employs over 13 million people, making it the nation's largest employer outside the government. Our annual sales: $566 Billion. Maybe not as much as Oprah, but surely dwarfing Suze’s stash. But when consumers stop going out to eat you start laying off foodservice employees, foodservice distributors, foodservice brokers, foodservice manufacturers (and lby extension, their families) and we lay more waste to state tax rolls for services and unemployment. But what the heck, it's all good, Suze sold a few more books, and she's pimpin' her new one big-time.
Another point to consider: where does Suze think all her laid-off banking and financial advisor friends are going to find their next job until the TARP money (funded by foodservice employees et. al.) comes through? Right here in OUR kitchens, dining rooms, and industry. By telling Americans to stop patronizing our industry as a money-saving strategy you’re only showing how out of touch--not how in tune--you are with the people you claim to be “just like” and “the financial conscious” of.
Ms Orman’s intention is probably that Americans need to be more prudent with spending, and that is so, but why suggest that going to a restaurant is financially flamboyant? And why is she specifically singling out our cornerstone industry for boycott? Look, I know there are bigger and better issues to be concerned about today than a TV talking head's POV, and this isn't a post about "blaming the media" for industry woes. It's about standing up, and the line in the sand has to be drawn somehwere. We’ve been the media’s whipping boy for far too long and have taken it far too quietly. Sure, some raps we deserve, but most we don't. Well it stops here, at least with me. I am going to ask the National Restaurant Association and my state restaurant association to please forward a list of pro-industry talking points and rebuttals off to these media influence peddlers ASAP. I am going to post this same advice on my home page at www.sullivision.com to alert and mobilize my community on the issue, and have already sent a related e-mail to the NY Times and my local newspaper. There's only so much time in the day, so maybe you can ask two of your managers or team members to write to your local papers and get the other side of the story out. It’s starts with us and spreads outward from here. But first it must start. Now is the time, this is the place, you are the person. None of us are as strong as all of us.
And here‘s a final suggestion that’s as down-to-earth as Home Plate: ask your family, friends and employees to cancel their subscription to “O” magazine, and not to buy the new Suze Orman book. Suggest they put the money they’ve saved into a nice meal, a good lunch, or a quick breakfast at your restaurant, or any restaurant. Phone in to the next talkshow she’s on hawking her book and call B.S. on her restaurant boycott advice. I shudder to think what other pearls of wisdom she's offering a shell-shocked and skittish populace.
How best to mobilize the FohBoh Nation and beyond? Post now and pass it on.
So-called financial “guru” Suze Orman believes the way “that average Americans” can dig their way out of the Global Recession is “to stop going out to eat at restaurants.” Wait. Are you kidding me? Boycott an industry of 13 million workers, the 3rd largest employer in America? This kind of advice sounds like a manure salesperson with a mouthful of samples. Here’s a better idea: maybe Suze’s fund manager friends could throw a few of their recent bonus bucks in the pot instead? After all, it’s Wall Street greed-grabbers, not hard-working foodservice employees who got us in this mess in the first place. Suggesting that the way to recoup an anemic 401k is by shunning the restaurant businessis like bowling for enlightenment; there’s simply no logical cause-and-effect.
By proffering this inane “advice”—which serves only to hurt the one industry that continues to create jobs in this tumbling economy--Ms Orman demonstrates equal parts stupidity and elitism. If her voice was heard only through an obscure blog, I wouldn’t be so concerned. But since October Ms. Orman has continuously opined staying home to eat on her own cable show, Larry King Live, and the Today show. And worse, as a regular guest on Oprah, Orman repeats the same bad advice to Winfrey’s millions ‘o minions. Oy. And since TV feeds on both itself and mediocrity--Fred Allen once famously remarked that TV is called a medium because it’s rare that it’s ever well done--Orman’s fellow pundits from both the media left and the media right—Olberman, Hannity, and O’Reilly—are now spouting the same misguided advice.
Here’s my thought: maybe Suze, Keith, Sean, Bill and Oprah et. al. might want to do a special on which US industry ISN’T in line for a government handout, bailout or get-out-of-jail-free card. Or which industry employs more Americans than General Motors, Wall Street, or Fox News…combined. Yes. It’s us, foodservice. The restaurant industry has 945,000 locations and employs over 13 million people, making it the nation's largest employer outside the government. Our annual sales: $566 Billion. Maybe not as much as Oprah, but surely dwarfing Suze’s stash. But when consumers stop going out to eat you start laying off foodservice employees, foodservice distributors, foodservice brokers, foodservice manufacturers (and lby extension, their families) and we lay more waste to state tax rolls for services and unemployment. But what the heck, it's all good, Suze sold a few more books, and she's pimpin' her new one big-time.
Another point to consider: where does Suze think all her laid-off banking and financial advisor friends are going to find their next job until the TARP money (funded by foodservice employees et. al.) comes through? Right here in OUR kitchens, dining rooms, and industry. By telling Americans to stop patronizing our industry as a money-saving strategy you’re only showing how out of touch--not how in tune--you are with the people you claim to be “just like” and “the financial conscious” of.
Ms Orman’s intention is probably that Americans need to be more prudent with spending, and that is so, but why suggest that going to a restaurant is financially flamboyant? And why is she specifically singling out our cornerstone industry for boycott? Look, I know there are bigger and better issues to be concerned about today than a TV talking head's POV, and this isn't a post about "blaming the media" for industry woes. It's about standing up, and the line in the sand has to be drawn somehwere. We’ve been the media’s whipping boy for far too long and have taken it far too quietly. Sure, some raps we deserve, but most we don't. Well it stops here, at least with me. I am going to ask the National Restaurant Association and my state restaurant association to please forward a list of pro-industry talking points and rebuttals off to these media influence peddlers ASAP. I am going to post this same advice on my home page at www.sullivision.com to alert and mobilize my community on the issue, and have already sent a related e-mail to the NY Times and my local newspaper. There's only so much time in the day, so maybe you can ask two of your managers or team members to write to your local papers and get the other side of the story out. It’s starts with us and spreads outward from here. But first it must start. Now is the time, this is the place, you are the person. None of us are as strong as all of us.
And here‘s a final suggestion that’s as down-to-earth as Home Plate: ask your family, friends and employees to cancel their subscription to “O” magazine, and not to buy the new Suze Orman book. Suggest they put the money they’ve saved into a nice meal, a good lunch, or a quick breakfast at your restaurant, or any restaurant. Phone in to the next talkshow she’s on hawking her book and call B.S. on her restaurant boycott advice. I shudder to think what other pearls of wisdom she's offering a shell-shocked and skittish populace.
How best to mobilize the FohBoh Nation and beyond? Post now and pass it on.
Tags: image, industry, leadership, oprah, orman, suze, training
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by susan holaday on -
I agree totally. Maybe these pundits pick on restaurants because their image of our industry is one of extremely high-priced operations - they kind they usually frequent- they overlook the many low and moderately priced restaurants that greatly outnumber those where tabs run around $100 a head.
The industry needs to get its message out to the mainstream media loudly. This morning I saw an article by the Wall Street Journal's wine columnists suggesting readers stay home and cook that romantic Valentine's Day meal instead of going out and open up a special bottle of wine with it. Help!\
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Permalink Reply by Jim Sullivan on -
Well it has to start with you and me, Susan! I just also posted this piece on my website's home page (www.sullivision.com) in an effort to leverage and perhaps mobilize the large volume of visitor traffic we get to this issue. --Jim
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Permalink Reply by Keith Bernhardt on -
Suze Orman used to work in restaurants !
Next thing is, she'll say don't travel (there will go the travel and tourism industry).
I've never been a big fan of Suze Orman. She's way out of touch, and the only solution she thinks is Her way or the highway.
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Permalink Reply by Michael L. Atkinson on -
Jim, you-are-the-man! Thanks for taking this up on Fohboh.
There was a bit of discussion about Suzie and Oprah earlier here after her last appearance on Oprah. The dialog was pretty consistent with your rant. I say "stuff a sock in it Suzie" and re-read your freshman econ 101 textbook. Consumers drive the American economy and the restaurant industry is a big player in the consumer economy. I have filtered Suzie out of my life. We need good advice, leadership and confidence now, not an irresponsible, over-exposed, talking head. My hope is that the public is more intelligent than Suzie and more industry professionals start using this platform to send a message. I will personally help deliver it to the media, as the voice of the restaurant industry.
Thanks Jim.
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Permalink Reply by Jim Sullivan on
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Michael: thanks for the response. I too have filtered Suze (pronounced "Suzie"...how CUTE is that?!) out of my life but when non-industry friends keep telling me they hear her advice and ask me my opinion, well, that filters her opinion back in to my life. So I'm hoping we can get something started here. Ms Orman has the ear of tens of millions and we need to get the counterpoint out. Apathy has gotten us nowhere fast if history is any gauge.
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Permalink Reply by Michael L. Atkinson on
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There is a "share" button below your post that can be used to syndicate this faster. I sent it to Dawn Sweeney, CEO at NRA and Rob Finley COO at CRA. More sharing is better.
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Permalink Reply by susan holaday on
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Oh yes, so true. I was at a very moderately priced restaurant tonight in downtown Boston - very low prices - $7 mac and cheese and it was really good - turkey tips with couscous, also at that level = really good food at low prices and mobbed beyond belief at 7:30 to 8 pm on a Monday night when others downtown are relatively deserted - those who meet demand WILL SUCCEED - Suze Orman, Ophrah or not! Three cheers for those in the industry who get what's going on, meet the demand and will make it out of this!
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Permalink Reply by James Kohn on -
With all due respect to Jim Sullivan, Susan Holaday and the other people who commented, I'm going to go out on a limb and be the bad guy here. Like most issues, nobody is entirely right or entirely wrong. As the professionals who supposedly guide our industry, we would be negligent to respond to this with a finger pointing campaign rather than confronting head on the challenges of today's environment. If I take off my restaurant consultant hat, and speak as a consumer for a moment, it's easier to see the other side of this.
As money has gotten tighter and tighter in my household, dining out absolutely was the first and most obvious expense to go under the magnifying glass. When things are good we never think twice about where or how often we go out for dinner. The expense of that would routinely be well over a thousand per month. We still dine out but we do so on a budget, and we've reduced our dining out expense by over $500 per month. I don't know what the "average" family spends dining out each month, but I'm sure some of you do. My point is that it is a particularly painless way to save a significant chunk of money every month, and that you can start realizing the savings immediately (as opposed to something like a car payment that you're locked into).
Rather than ranting against Ms. Orman, who I have no particular interest in, I think we can do better by our clients by dealing head on with this new reality. Ms. Holaday's second comment is much more to the point: we need to be ultra conscious of the value equation. Not every restaurant is going to survive this economic situation. My job is to make sure that my clients are the one's that continue to prosper. Americans are now spending less and saving more, that's a fact. People are dining out less frequently and spending less each time they do dine out, and finger pointing is not our most productive strategy. I'm reminded of a previous blog post about NYC and Hollywood fine dining restaurants that have all of a sudden started treating customers well because times are tough. We can best serve our clients and our industry by facing this challenge head on. Those who have meaningful relationships with customers, staff and purveyors and who offer good value at a fair price will prevail. Those who choose to waste their energy whining and pointing fingers are in for a tough ride. Don't "curse the darkness". - James Kohn, www.JamesKohn.com
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Permalink Reply by susan holaday on
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Sure - I certainly agree with you - there are a lot of operators, especially at the higher end, who are trying to figure out whether, if they come down on pricing, they'll ever be able to go back up once customers perceive them as "3 courses for $35" instead of 3 courses for $55 - that value perception is the tricky part of this, I expect... I know one high end operator who's decided against dropping prices - his customers are well heeled enough to keep coming despite what's going on in the economy - and this will be true for many in that segment. Once you drop prices, can you raise them again when things turn around?
As far as customer service - as the northeast regional vice president of the American Culinary Federation told me last weekend, service is even more important today than ever before - that perception of being cared for, appreciated and valued for your business is critical.
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Permalink Reply by Dwight Aubert on -
Lets see if the U S stops eatting at restaurants whats the worst thing that could happen , The American farmer wont need to grow as much produce. The live stock
farmer can stop raising as much live stock ,Truckers will not be needed to transport
goods to market ,Wholesale vendors will not be needed ,Chefs will not be needed
servers will be out of work , HR reps for the industry do not need them anymore . how many people are unemployed now , and stopping eating out is going to fix things // LOL
I have a better Idea lets stop watching TV altogether, and put the idiot box out of work instead . and think of all the money we can save on cable bills
Thanks for the Dumbing of America MS Orman
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Permalink Reply by susan holaday on
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Like that idea! The money saved from cable bills would buy quite a few really nice meals and be much more relaxing!
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Permalink Reply by susan holaday on
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Jim - -Check out my news bytes page -
http://www.foodserviceeast.com/newsbytes.html
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