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How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

thehustle.co

11–20 of 279 posts

Re: How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

#11
Why did I know it was going to be an Indian guy telling this story? This one happens to be somewhat true, but frequently they are of the style "and then everyone clapped, and the professor kissed my feet"

Does anyone know why these kinds of stories are so popular for Indians? About 20% of Quora is filled with them.

Re: How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

#12

There's no mention about whether or not the flavor Montañez came up with was the one used in the hot Cheetoes, or if the CEO even tried one. Not that it matters, but I think it's interesting that the actual product here we can safely hand-wave away, "The chefs in the test kitchen will make that part work."

The exact flavor isn't important. What is important is that he identified an unserved, high-potential, market and put together what was basically a minimum viable product. I'm sure it needed massive refinement, but that shortcoming is a normal piece of any product development.

Totally agree, I just think it's unintuitive how the actual literal product is often the least important part of the process.

Re: How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

#13
> The CEO got on the line. Loving the initiative, he told Richard to prepare a presentation, and he set a meeting in 2 weeks time.

So he didn't really just walk in like the title implies. Still it's a remarkable journey. It invokes a certain nostalgia about a past where anyone could move up through the social/corporate ladder and if that is still the case. Personally, I wonder if that time really ever existed or if these are 1/million changes of luck.

Re: How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

#15
I think what is special is that they offered him VP. Today he would probably got a voucher or got fired shortly and someone else taking credit. Today taking a look at particular community and researching what they are missing and taking into account their spending power is pretty standard in research. Also janitor would likely be either self employed or from agency and focused on his own life today.

Re: How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

#16
This is a really nice story, but you know who the other hero is? The CEO who gave him the time and the opportunity. He could've easily told him to fuck off, as many would do. Who was he, what's his name?

More often than not, we get nowhere without people in better positions helping us, it would be great if more people would keep an open mind like that. That CEO deserves recognition.

And if you manage to climb higher on the ladder, don't forget to help others like someone helped you before. Pay it forward.

Re: How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

#17
post #11

Why did I know it was going to be an Indian guy telling this story? This one happens to be somewhat true, but frequently they are of the style "and then everyone clapped, and the professor kissed my feet" Does anyone know why these kinds of stories are so popular for Indians? About 20% of Quora is filled with them.

Probably serving the ethos "if you work hard, good things will eventually come". Kind of useful phrase to tell people you want to exploit. They'll work harder for same reward.

Re: How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

#18
post #11

Why did I know it was going to be an Indian guy telling this story? This one happens to be somewhat true, but frequently they are of the style "and then everyone clapped, and the professor kissed my feet" Does anyone know why these kinds of stories are so popular for Indians? About 20% of Quora is filled with them.

Probably serving the ethos "if you work hard, good things will eventually come". Kind of useful phrase to tell people you want to exploit. They'll work harder for same reward.

"If you work hard and get the attention of someone higher up, you may get lucky" would be more appropriate.

Re: How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

#19
post #11

Why did I know it was going to be an Indian guy telling this story? This one happens to be somewhat true, but frequently they are of the style "and then everyone clapped, and the professor kissed my feet" Does anyone know why these kinds of stories are so popular for Indians? About 20% of Quora is filled with them.

You can probably just keep the casual racism to yourself.

Re: How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos (2017)

#20

> The CEO got on the line. Loving the initiative, he told Richard to prepare a presentation, and he set a meeting in 2 weeks time. So he didn't really just walk in like the title implies. Still it's a remarkable journey. It invokes a certain nostalgia about a past where anyone could move up through the social/corporate ladder and if that is still the case. Personally, I wonder if that time really ever existed or if t…

It’s cliche, but I find it to be true: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”

Mr. Montanez had done the preparation - he’d immersed himself in the company and its products, and was actively looking for ways to contribute to it. I am very confident that this was not the only idea he had to do so; I strongly suspect Frito-Lay discovered that as well, which is why he ended up in upper management.

Now, does it happen for everyone, every time? Of course not. It’s not even numerically possible for everyone to take this path. I’ve always taken pride in immersing myself with the company I work for as well, and while that has worked out very well in some cases in others it has had no apparent effect. That’s OK. I see it as part of my character, not merely as a play for more responsibility (and compensation).

I don’t think it’s just “luck”, though. I think someone who builds this type of character will benefit from it. It may not make them a VP at Frito-Lay, but it will benefit them.

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