MBA to change the world?

The value creators in our new economy are providing exceptional experiences by outperforming their niche in an industry network or tying together the nodes of the network and packaging the whole thing in innovative ways.

As part of my recent course at Darden on Innovation and Integration in Services - The New Economy, I made observations on a number of innovations as examples of value creation in this flat, networked world. This is my submission on Miriam's Kitchen.

THE SERVICE

This organization falls strongest in the “Make Their Day” and “Be There” categories of the Fish! Philosophy. Miriam’s Kitchen, a provider of meals and additional services to homeless people in Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, DC

HOW IS IT INNOVATIVE? WHY DID IT GRAB YOUR ATTENTION?

Miriam’s Kitchen is noteworthy for a number of characteristics. It has always used hot meals as a way to gather people who could benefit from the area’s social services and introduce those services in a non-threatening manner. In that sense, the dining room aggregates a target audience and makes additional, highly valuable services know. Second, Miriam’s Kitchen attracted a great New York chef to run the soup kitchen. His culinary smarts have helped form food partnerships with local distributors and restaurants who now provide unsold fruits, vegetables, and other delicious but perishable items. The chef then uses these ingredients to enhance otherwise mundane food offering at the kitchen, providing high quality food for the guests at this kitchen.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM OR ISSUE ADDRESSED?

Serving food to homeless people can become a thankless job if you do not see progress in the guests’ lives. Miriam’s Kitchen infuses meals for homeless folk with caring and genuine support, attracting more volunteer and staff workers to the kitchen and more candidates for additional services to the dining room.

IS THERE A CHANGE, DEVELOPMENT, OR TREND THAT CREATED THE OPPORTUNITY? OR, IS IT JUST NEW THINKING?

The idea that homeless people deserve gourmet food preparation might be seen as impossible on limited budgets by some and socially or politically repugnant by others. Miriam’s Kitchen serves its guests with the dignity and respect of human equals, in a way that demonstrates the sincere desire to assist the guests without being demeaning.

WHAT ARE TRANSFERABLE QUALITIES TO OTHER CATEGORIES?

It takes just a simple creative step to turn ordinary into extraordinary. At Miriam’s Kitchen, that means transforming ordinary pancakes into extraordinary mixed berry pancakes bursting with fresh fruit. But people recognize extraordinary and they appreciate it so much.

DOES THIS SUPPLANT A PREVIOUS SOLUTION? WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS THIS DISPLACING?

For Miriam’s, the problem is how to connect beneficial social services with the clients who will benefit from them. By making a special breakfast each morning, the people of Miriam’s are already demonstrating they care about the people they are serving. This creates the opportunities to “market” additional services that can truly transform someone’s life, be it through addiction recovery, job training and placement, or referrals to health care or other needs.

ANY OTHER POINTS WORTH MAKING:

Social services is not often considered glamorous, and food at homeless kitchens is often forced to be economical before nutritious or pleasing. Miriam’s Kitchen has used some creative, passionate people to transform the purpose and execution of the soup kitchen.

 

This article was first published at dolechester.wordpress.com