Page 120 - Everything I Know About Business I Learned

Everything I Know About Business I Learned at McDonald’s

groomed with an air of confidence about him, walking right up
to me and saying, “Hi Paul, I look forward to dinner with you
tonight. I just want to go up and freshen up and I will be down
in a minute.” Naturally, I said, “Of course, Mr. Kroc,” figuring
it was best to show respect even though everyone at the com-
pany was on a first-name basis. Immediately, he insisted I call
him “Ray.”
When he returned, we got into the limo. I went for one of the
“flip seats”—two small seats hinged to the front bench seat,
which allowed additional passengers to sit, facing the rear seats.
As I went to sit in one, Ray objected, saying, “You are my guest
tonight. I’ll sit there. You sit in the comfortable seat.” That
pretty much blew me away, and I sank into the deep lushness of
the rear seat of the limo—my first ride ever in a limousine—
while he took the uncomfortable hard seat. This offered a
glimpse about humility and graciousness, no matter if you are
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one of the richest men in America, and the head and founder of
the most successful restaurant organization in the world. It was
a mindset I hoped I could incorporate as my own, in my pro-
fessional life.
At the 21 Club, a spot I had only read about in the society
pages, Ray was greeted warmly by the maître d, and suddenly I
felt part of a circle of power I’d never before imagined. As he
walked through the bar, stopping to show me how the hats and
toys adorned the ceiling, I sensed the gaze of diners everywhere.
Maybe it was his San Diego Padres ring, signifying the team he
owned and loved. Or perhaps it was the aura and energy that
just flowed from him. Regardless, the diners seemed to know
they were in the presence of a true celebrity. After dinner, Ray
insisted I have a tour of the basement, which featured a secret
door where liquor was kept during prohibition and a wine cel-
lar, where bottles were stored for Richard Nixon at the time. And
while I relished the evening, what I treasured even more was