Over 35 years ago (gulp) I started my career as a Chartered Accountancy trainee in an office of one of the “Big Four” in central Edinburgh, Scotland. Shortly after that, I discovered the delights of one of the early M&S Food Halls just a few minutes walk from the office.
This may seem odd to many other nationalities, but Brits love sandwiches and many of us buy them for lunch. M&S are, quite rightly, famous for their sandwiches, of which there is a wide range. My favourite very quickly became their “BLT”, and to this day I find it an irresistable choice.
Today I was up “in town” (central London) for another energising and inspiring meeting, this time a long overdue catch up with a brilliant young mentee. On my way back home I popped into an M&S at the railway station and yes, once again I treated myself to a BLT to eat on the train home. This one had added detectability as just a few short weeks ago my newly reconfigured colon would have struggled to digest the combination of malted and seeded bread, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and bacon. I savoured every mouthful.
As I ate it I also thought back to the fact that I have been savouring these for over 35 years. Yes, I am quite adventurous with food and love trying new places and new foods, but this is one of my all tie loves, the M&S BLT.
Sometimes, whether with food, or perhaps with how we do things in business (certain brand logos come to mind, as does the “New Coke” debacle), an adage to remember is:
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it