Undercover Boss: Relationships first, business second.
Posted by Kalani Iwiula on Thu, Dec 02, 2010
Each episode of this reality TV series features a senior executive at a major corporation working incognito as a new entry-level hire in his or her company. For one week, the executive hopes to learn how the company really works and attempts to identify some of the unsung heroes among the employees.
Tonight's Undercover Boss finale featured Chris McCann, president of 1-800-Flowers. Together with his brother, Jim, their company has become the world's leading florist and gift shop. An early lesson for the McCann brothers was to always manage company culture, and in a business of delivering thoughtfulness and smiles, their effort to "build relationships first and business second" has proved positive for the company.
Early naysayers said the show wouldn't fly but the show has clearly touched a nerve with viewers having consistently pulled favorable TV ratings since its debut on Feb. 7, 2010. It has also been renewed for a second season.
For a brief article, click here to read Steve Tobak's blog post for BNet.