Radical Basics

One brand’s innovation is another’s price-of-entry. By Spencer L. Hapoineu. Have you noticed that when you take Steve Jobs out of the equation there isn’t all that much innovation going on? Or is it just that our definition of innovation is the problem, and we’re seeing innovation disguised as other things? For example, would you say that creating a truly great hamburger is an innovation? Isn’t it all in the definition of "truly great?"

About 20 years ago, a chef named Henry Meer and a butcher’s son named Pat LaFrieda decided to create what they thought would be a truly great hamburger. Chef Meer was opening his now-successful City Hall restaurant in Lower Manhattan, and Mr. LaFrieda was taking over his father’s struggling meat supply business. Together, they combined short-rib, chuck, and brisket in a secret mixture that delivers a truly great hamburger every time. Now, this helped establish Mr. Meer’s restaurant while also reviving the LaFrieda’s meat business … read >>