PART 6：MODULE 3: 85°C / 185°F

A Story to Spark Your Imagination

Tea, like systems, requires balance. Brew it too hot, and the delicate leaves burn, losing their flavor. Brew it too cold, and the essence never emerges. This delicate balance mirrors the process of replication:

• Too aggressive, and the system risks collapse under the strain of rapid expansion.
• Too hesitant, and the potential remains unrealized.

In 2025, the “Lavender Tea Symphony” workshops aim to expand from Montpellier and Tippecanoe to 20 new locations, guided by a carefully designed replication system. However, this vision begins with a deliberate focus on restraint and foundation. Mei Lin and Pierre’s initial efforts involve nurturing their starting locations, cultivating the right people, and rigorously testing the system. Only when these elements are fully developed will the path for replication be pursued.

As Laozi wrote in the Tao Te Ching:“将欲歙之，必固张之；将欲弱之，必固强之。”
(“If you want to shrink something, you must first expand it. If you want to weaken something, you must first strengthen it.”) This module will show you how to balance patience with action, ensuring your system is scalable, sustainable, and impactful.

What You’ll Discover in This Module

By the end of this module, you will:

1. Learn how to cultivate local talents as the foundation for system replication.
2. Understand the principles of equity incentives to encourage innovation and duplication.
3. Explore the wisdom of balance in the replication process, inspired by the Tao Te Ching.

Building the Foundation: Key Concepts to Explore

1. The Balance of Replication (Water Temperature as a Metaphor)

• Too Hot: Expanding too quickly can overwhelm the system and dilute quality.
  • Example: A startup café chain scaled to 50 locations within two years, but inconsistent quality control and untrained staff led to 40% of outlets closing within the next three years.
  • Lesson: Rapid scaling without readiness risks long-term viability.
• Too Cold: Moving too slowly risks missing opportunities and stagnation.
  • Example: A boutique art gallery hesitated to expand despite growing demand, resulting in competitors entering the market and capturing their potential audience.
  • Lesson: Hesitation can lead to missed market opportunities.
• Optimal Temperature (85°C): A deliberate, balanced approach ensures sustainability and transformation.
  • Example: IKEA’s slow but steady expansion into new countries ensures that their supply chain, cultural adaptation, and local partnerships are strong before launch.

2. Steps to Build and Replicate the System

Step 1: Give Unconditional Love to Foundational Locations

• Focus Locations: Montpellier and Tippecanoe as core starting points.
• Investments: Prioritize relationships, trust-building, and engagement without immediate return.
  • Example: In Montpellier, host 30 workshops in local museums like Planet Ocean Museum over two years, involving 10 local artists and educators. In Tippecanoe, partner with Explore & Learn Museum to run 25 events in community spaces.
  • Outcomes: Increased community awareness, strong partnerships with 50+ local stakeholders, and a clear model to replicate.

Step 2: Cultivate Talents Locally

• Identify and Train: Engage individuals passionate about creativity and connection.
  • Example: Train 20 educators and 10 shop owners in basic workshop delivery and customer engagement. Conduct bi-annual training sessions with measurable milestones.
  • Real-World Parallel: Starbucks’ investment in training baristas globally ensures consistent customer experience, with over 4,000 employees trained in China before expanding significantly in the region.

Step 3: Teach and Replicate the System

• Define the System Clearly:
  • Use equity incentives to encourage local ownership.
    • Example: Museums and shops implementing Leaf Card workshops receive 15% of workshop profits. Educators earning a 90% satisfaction score from participants receive a 5% bonus per event.
    • Real-World Parallel: The Body Shop’s franchise model allows local entrepreneurs to own stores while adhering to strict ethical guidelines.
  • Include Guidelines for Replication:
    • Replication Allowed:
      • When the foundational location has hosted 50+ successful events.
      • When local leaders demonstrate readiness through certifications (e.g., 15 hours of training completed).
    • Replication Restricted:
      • Until community awareness exceeds 70% (measured through surveys).
      • If revenue per event falls below a sustainable threshold (e.g., $2,000 per event).