A 20-something dethroned dotcom CEO that went to work the counter at McDonald's (2000)
Scott Heiferman, a former dotcom CEO, worked at McDonald's to understand low-wage workers' challenges, gaining insights into employee recognition and management's lack of appreciation for staff efforts.
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Scott Heiferman, a former dotcom CEO, took a job at McDonald's in New York City to reconnect with the real world after years in the internet industry. He aimed to experience the operations of a successful, established business and gain respect for the hard work of low-wage employees. Heiferman's observations during his time at McDonald's highlighted several key points: the appeal of the dollar menu, the low wages and hard work of employees, the lack of management emphasis on customer service, and the absence of appreciation for staff efforts. He noted that many of his co-workers performed their jobs more efficiently than he could and that the physical demands of the job, such as handling fry baskets, were challenging. Despite his background in leadership and management, Heiferman found that being an under-appreciated employee provided him with valuable insights into the importance of recognition in the workplace. His experience was documented in a piece that was misinterpreted by some as a publicity stunt, but he emphasized the genuine lessons learned from working in a fast-paced, low-wage environment.
- Scott Heiferman worked at McDonald's to reconnect with everyday life after being a dotcom CEO.
- He gained respect for low-wage workers and highlighted the challenges they face.
- He observed a lack of emphasis on customer service and appreciation from management.
- Heiferman found that many co-workers were more skilled and efficient than he was.
- His experience provided valuable insights into employee recognition and workplace dynamics.
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- Several commenters share personal anecdotes about their own experiences in low-wage jobs, highlighting a sense of nostalgia and the challenges faced.
- There is a common theme of appreciation for the insights gained from working in such roles, emphasizing the disconnect between high-paying jobs and the realities of low-wage work.
- Some comments express skepticism about the duration and sincerity of Heiferman's McDonald's stint, questioning whether it was a genuine effort to understand low-wage workers.
- Many commenters resonate with the idea of feeling unappreciated in their jobs, regardless of the industry.
- There is a mix of admiration for Heiferman's approach and a desire among some to reconnect with simpler, more grounded work experiences.
17 commentsHe made his money just when the idea of value being divorced from real product to virtual metrics, “chasing eyeballs,” etc. was getting hot. The days when you sold a huge contract by showing a CD ROM of the website you were never going to achieve, to a client who had no idea what they were buying.
This guy was much more honest than the norm. The McD and meetup stuff reflects the fact that he kept people in the equation.
I checked his Linkedin, the job isn't listed. Jan 2002 he started a new photo startup ("50M+ members posted a billion photos"), then co-founder&CEO of meetup.
It's a good time capsule of what his thinking was in 2000 but I wonder if it was more than a break. At my office job I, too, often think I should drive an Uber or deliver food for a month as a break.
> 10/99-10/01: chairman, i-traffic (an agency.com company)
> 10/00-10/00: counterperson, mcdonald's (4th & broadway, nyc)
I sometimes think about going back to work at food service jobs after I retire, just to keep busy. I enjoyed those jobs as a high school and college student, and I wonder if I still would, or if I might be too spoiled now. And if my back was tired at the end of a shift when I was 21, I guess now I might just die.
Do you think this is still true?
This resonates with me. I used to work in tech, but I recently joined my family's brick-and-mortar business. No one says thank you, no one appreciates you. I find it amazing that this culture of thanklessness exists even in the US (I'm in India) in non-tech jobs.
P.S. I worked at all fronts of the business before joining the management. Worked at the counter, as a delivery personal, as a sales executive, etc. And when I say "Nobody thanked me" I mean no one at the company appreciated my efforts.
I'm in my 40s now and run a small dev agency. (if that matters)
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