Applying Lessons from Iconic Brands to Your Business (Episode 76)

Truly innovative companies rarely look within their own industry for inspiration. In Episode 76 of the Unlocked Podcast, Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe), Tony (Assured Security), and Chad (Loc-Doc Security) challenge owners to stop thinking like security contractors and start modeling their businesses after world-class brands.  

Precision in the Process

Lars Johnston reflected on his time working at The Keg Steakhouse, noting that their onboarding wasn't just about "learning the job"—it was about learning a scientifically standardized process. From the exact angle of the grill to the specific placement of a fat cap on a steak, the goal was to ensure the same experience in every store. In the security industry, we often rely on "osmosis training" in a van. Lars argues that if we standardise our "grill angles"—our technical processes—we can scale faster and reduce the quality-assurance burden.  

The Frictionless Journey

A major theme of the discussion was Uber's disruption of the taxi industry. Uber didn't invent the car or the GPS; they simply identified the "friction points"—finding a ride and the awkwardness of paying—and removed them. Tony and Chad discussed how this applies to the locksmith world, where the most uncomfortable moment is often the customer being surprised by a bill at the end of a service call. Moving to "card on file" and upfront pricing is the first step toward becoming the "Uber of Security".  

The Raising Cane’s Logic

In a nod to their ongoing debate over specialization, Tony brought up Raising Cane’s, a multi-billion dollar brand that only sells one thing: chicken fingers. By refusing to offer burgers or salads, they perfected their quality and speed. While locksmiths naturally run into a variety of problems, Chad and Tony noted that in their electronic offerings, they have adopted a similar logic—focusing on a limited product stack (like Bravo and Million) to ensure technicians can become experts in weeks rather than years.  

Community and Consistency

Whether it’s Elevation Church synchronizing music across 20 campuses or Casey’s General Store using clean bathrooms to sell pizza in rural towns, the lesson is clear: provide a standard of professionalism that your fragmented competitors cannot match.  

As you look at your operations this week, ask yourself: What is the most "uncomfortable" part of doing business with me, and how would a world-class brand fix it?   

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