Post #574146 by Limbo Lizard on Tue, Feb 1, 2011 10:31 AM

I'll take a stab, Cammo.

Business-school trained MBAs, and such, don't want a lot of intangible or unquantifiable variables to consider, as they attempt to analyze business patterns. Let's say we're considering a tiki-theme restaurant/lounge with lots of unique decor, specialty food and drinks, a floor show, etc. Corporate is looking at the figures, perhaps comparing to the figures from other locations with different themes. If sales are up,… why? If sales are down, what is the problem? Is the theme fatigued? Is the manager the problem? Does the decor need refreshed? Are the waterfalls causing a moldy smell? Are the restrooms filthy? Has the service become poor? Is the food/drink quality falling off? There are just so many possibilities to consider, and it's very difficult to “scientifically” determine, with too many unique and “quirky” variables - especially if from a remote corporate headquarters. But, if the "troublesome" variables can be eliminated through a sort of homogenization, then it’s easier to analyze trends (the way they were taught), and recommend profitable changes across the board. The “beige business model” reduces the variables to those that the business-school grad is familiar and comfortable dealing with.