I have to agree a lot on this article as I’ve been following Gordon Ramsey’s shows around. And am glad that I’m not alone agreeing that Gordon’s way of handling issues, especially frankness in opinions (albeit too frankly :D) by giving feedbacks and constructive criticism.

Lots of time, clients tend to overlook this idea of doing so and regularly misconstrued the whole discussion as a form of insult. As you can see, designers will need to constantly educate the business users that there are a lot more about usability than just, running their business.

Because, as Elidet said it, we don’t just create useful websites, we also create a branding that makes an impact in the Internet.

@Matt: You’re absolutely right. High standards is a winner!

I’d like to think that a lot of developers already think this sort of way – but really it boils down to one thing – high standards. The higher they are (and the firmer you are in sticking to them) the better.

As someone who works with small businesses, I can tell you they don’t try these approaches before he visits-

I call it business myopia: they are too busy running their business that they don’t run their business. It’s a vicious cycle.

A chef opens up a restaurant because he’s a chef and wants to share his skills with the world, but that doesn’t mean they know a thing about marketing and running a business.

Or a business owner opens up a restaurant, but doesn’t necessarily know a thing about cooking.

Also, as for feedback back: telling a business owner that their technique doesn’t work is taken as an insult, instead of constructive criticism.

There is also a reason why the Chef’s “mean” attitude works so well.
It’s like a mom telling her son “Bobby, put that down, please” vs yelling “Bobby, if I have to tell you ONE more time to put that down, you’re going to get it!”

If Chef Ramsey were to “nicely” tell them what to change, the owners would not take his advice seriously. This is why the who yelling at them sometimes works to knock some sense into them.

Ever seen “Millionaire Matchmaker” or something like that, a reality show about hooking up people with millionaires for dates? The matchmaker interviews the millionaires, and sometimes she has to have a smack down with them and yell at them for doing it all wrong and why they are doing it all wrong.

I’ve done it myself recently. After being nice with a music artist on his marketing, I had to be mean and basically chew him out.

A week later, not only was I hired, he had given me 3 referrals.

Sorry, got off topic.

Anyway, all business owners should be required to watch this show. They might learn something.

@Paul May & @Elidet: You’re right, Gordon’s approach could basically be applied to any business. What I don’t get is why these failing restaurants don’t try these approaches before he comes to visit