I received some books today as gifts (OK, it’s my birthday and that’s a subtle way of working it in!). One of them is called Screen Doors and Sweet Tea. It’s book with a ton of southern recipes which I’ll being cooking my way through ASAP.
Why is this of interest to you? Because what’s so great about this book is the story that goes with nearly every recipe. Rather than the traditional blurb at the beginning of the book which informs you of the chef’s fabulous experience and unimaginably great food, this book has a piece to go with nearly every page. The stories are every bit as good as the food they discuss and make this book a worthwhile read even if you never cook anything out of it (or can’t cook at all). The stories give the food context.
Context is something that’s often lost these days. Companies seem very focused on the “how” or “what” but not often enough on the “why”. How many presentations have you sat through that talk about a company and how they were funded, their great technology, their business but don’t hear a damn thing about how all this great stuff helps YOU, their customer? Context is what takes “that’s nice” or “interesting” to “WOW – I NEED THIS.” Context is relevance. People like to know that you’re talking TO them, not AT them.
Check your context – it will make what’s good about what you’re doing great. The recipes are good and interesting – the stories make them jump off the page.
Consult Keith 