Four Peel BananaAbout
How Four Peel Banana got its name
Early in my consulting days, I was in a kickoff meeting with a new client. I’d skipped lunch, so I grabbed a banana off the snack tray right as the CEO leaned in and asked, “What makes a great consultant?”
I had a mouthful of nothing and a banana in my hand, so I improvised. I peeled one strip down and said, “First, you listen.” Second strip: “Then you find the real problem.” Third strip: “Then you make it simple.” Fourth strip: “And then you deliver.” Then I held up the fully peeled banana and said, “Peel back those layers, and there’s always something good inside.”
The room went quiet. Then the CEO nodded slowly and said, “That’s the best answer I’ve heard all year.”
A week later, his assistant emailed me the meeting notes. Under “Consultant’s Approach,” it just said: “Four Peel Banana.”
I figured if that’s what stuck, that’s what I’d call the company.
Daniel SmithPrincipal, Four Peel Banana