Are you the CEO?

Do you really know what’s happening?

Learn from former McDonald’s COO,

Mike Roberts, and his Noodle Team!

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 “ As a C-level executive you want
an informal group of people, who
have the courage to tell you the
truth and keep you connected to
the reality of the company and
the marketplace.
Scott Miller & David Morey
The Leadership Campaign

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 In the early 2000s, McDonald’s was
struggling big time. It was losing.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 This burger tastes
like crap!!!

The company was no longer

honoring Ray Kroc’s principles of
quality, service, and cleanliness.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 McDonald’s served fast food,
but it was slow to innovate
hindered by bureaucracy.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 Mike Roberts was appointed COO.
He launched ”The Plan to Win.”

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 Roberts had to make changes,
and he had to do it fast.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 Roberts created the secret Noodle
Team to understand the company
and market. He wanted candid input.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 The team members were a mix of
employees, customers, suppliers, and
franchisees. All willing to be candid.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 The team would meet secretly
every two months in a nondescript
airport hotel in Chicago.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 Noodle Team Rules
Four simple rules. No exceptions.

§ Meetings would be totally unplugged.

§ Meetings would be totally confidential.
§ Share the truth: good or bad.
§ Nothing was off the table.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 Meeting Agenda
Simple agenda. Just three questions.

1. What are we doing wrong?

2. What are we doing right?
3. What are we doing next?

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 The first year was brutal, but
the impact was dramatic.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 Now, Roberts had access to the truth.
He could make better decisions.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 Working directly with leading
franchisees, new ideas went to
market much faster.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 “ The Noodle Team meetings
were where the revolution
began, taking McDonald’s
from its worst to its best
historical performance in less
than eighteen months.
Scott Miller & David Morey
The Leadership Campaign

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 McDonald’s was no longer losing.
The company was winning.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 Are you a C-level executive?
Do you really know what’s happening?

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 Maybe it’s time to create
your own noodle team.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com

 The Noodle Team

Source: “The Leadership Campaign”

by Scott Miller and David Morey

Created by Tomas Bay

I help executives pitch their ideas. Effectively.

Created by Tomas Bay www.coachbay.com