The Tim Ferriss Show
#678: Jake Muise — The Relentless Pursuit of Innovation, Quality, and Meaning
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Maui Nui's unique schedule of seven days on and seven days off provides team members with ample time to rest and recover, resulting in excellent retention rates and a highly motivated workforce.
- Maui Nui's data-driven approach, including extensive data tracking and analysis, allows for better decision-making and optimization of routes, resource allocation, and overall performance.
- Maui Nui's commitment to data collection and analysis has impressed prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT, leading to potential groundbreaking advancements in precision agriculture through collaboration and grant proposals.
- Maui Nui's philosophy of constant iteration and continuous improvement extends to their field harvesting operations and butcher facility, as they consistently collect data to evaluate the impact of adjustments and drive ongoing improvement.
- Maui Nui's humane animal harvesting methods in the field ensure perfect shots without outside injuries by allowing intentional misses, meeting and exceeding guidelines for humane and safe practices.
Deep dives
Seven on Seven Off Work Schedule
Team members at Maui Nui work on a unique schedule of seven days on and seven days off. This schedule was initially designed to accommodate the flip from day to night work during harvesting. The benefits of this schedule have surpassed expectations, providing team members with ample time to rest, recover, and enjoy their time off. This schedule has resulted in excellent retention rates and a highly motivated and efficient workforce.
Precise Data Tracking and Metrics
Maui Nui places great importance on data tracking and metrics to inform their operations. They maintain an extensive dataset, monitoring various metrics such as mileage, bullet usage, moon phases, and more to maximize efficiency. This data-driven approach allows for better decision-making, optimizing routes, resource allocation, and improving overall performance. The detailed tracking and analysis of data contribute to the company's success and constant iteration towards continuous improvement.
Monitoring and Cooperation with Harvard and MIT
Maui Nui's commitment to data collection and analysis has caught the attention of prestigious institutions such as Harvard and MIT. In collaboration with these institutions, Maui Nui has submitted a grant proposal to NASA, aiming to utilize satellite data combined with their ground data to develop route planning systems. The goal is to leverage machine learning and advanced analysis to detect deer through satellite imagery and optimize field operations accordingly. The high level of data collection by Maui Nui has impressed Harvard and MIT researchers, setting the stage for potential groundbreaking advancements in precision agriculture.
Constant Iteration and Continuous Improvement
Maui Nui maintains a philosophy of constant iteration and continuous improvement. This approach applies not only to their field harvesting operations but extends to their butcher facility as well. By constantly measuring and analyzing various factors, such as production efficiencies and quality control, Maui Nui strives to produce a superior product more efficiently. They embrace change and consistently collect data to evaluate the impact of adjustments and drive ongoing improvement in their processes.
The Importance of Field Efficiency in Humane Animal Harvesting
In the podcast episode, the speaker discusses the field efficiency in humane animal harvesting compared to conventional facilities. In facilities, animals move through a shoot system and are rendered stationary before being shot in the head. However, in the field, where control is limited, the speaker's team has developed a shooting system that allows for 30% intentional misses to ensure that every shot that hits the animal is perfect, causing no outside injuries. By following the same rules as brick and mortar facilities, the team is able to meet and exceed the guidelines for humane and safe animal harvesting.
The Unique Situation for Harvesting Invasive Species in Hawaii
In the podcast episode, the speaker explains that in Hawaii, they are able to legally and ethically harvest invasive species, such as the Axis deer, on private land. This is because the animal management is dictated by the state, even on private land, since the animals are considered owned by the people. The speaker highlights that this unique situation allows them to carry out their harvesting process legally and responsibly, ensuring the quality and nutrient density of the harvested animal meat.
Effective Communication and the Clawback Allowances Technique
The podcast episode delves into the significance of effective communication and introduces the concept of "clawback allowances." The speaker's wife came up with this technique where she creates a secret Pinterest board with items she wants, and the speaker pretends to discover these items and surprise her with them throughout the year without giving away the fact that he is aware of her preferences. Additionally, the speaker shares the importance of effective communication in his team, mentioning the implementation of the HHS system (humble, hungry, smart) to evaluate team members' humility, work ethic, and emotional intelligence.
Importance of Mental Toughness in Sports
The podcast discusses the role of mental toughness training for athletes. The speaker shares their personal experience of using a book on mental toughness training for sports and taking an assessment. By having a constant reminder of their mental toughness score, the speaker saw a significant improvement in their performance, despite not being the most naturally gifted athlete. This emphasizes the importance of mental toughness in sports and how it can lead to better results.
The Impact of Nutrient Density on Food System and Agriculture
The podcast explores the concept of nutrient density and its potential to revolutionize the food system and agriculture. Nutrient density refers to the measurement of food quality and its composition in terms of nutritional value. By accurately measuring the thousands of biochemicals in food, consumers can make informed choices about the nutritional value of what they eat. This knowledge can drive the demand for regenerative agriculture practices, which prioritize soil and water conservation. Nutrient density also highlights the importance of understanding the impact of food production on the environment and how it can influence consumer behavior and supply chain practices.
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Jake Muise (@mauinuivenison) is CEO at Maui Nui Venison, a company he co-founded in 2017 that works to balance invasive axis deer populations on the island of Maui, channeling that management into incredible nutrient-dense food. Maui Nui was selected for Fast Company’s “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Agriculture of 2023,” and its venison has been served in restaurants across the country, including Alinea, The French Laundry, and Saison. Prior to Maui Nui, Jake was executive director of the Axis Deer Institute for 12 years, part of a two-decades-long project focused on axis deer and their long-term management in Hawai’i.
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[06:05] Lava cowboys.
[14:00] What does Maui Nui mean?
[15:07] A Hawai’i history primer.
[22:26] The problem with (and delicious solution to) axis deer in Hawai’i.
[30:18] The three-year hunt that became the Maui Nui springboard.
[43:54] The life-changing power of volleyball and free pizza.
[52:18] Seven on, seven off.
[57:01] Processes, metrics, and moon-fluence.
[1:00:41] Surpassing USDA regulations — in the wild.
[1:07:59] A typical night of harvesting.
[1:15:09] The humble, hungry, and smart way to build a world-class team.
[1:21:46] Feedback that separates the As and Bs from the Cs.
[1:30:21] Assigned and recommended reading.
[1:35:01] Nutrient density.
[1:46:10] Clawback allowances.
[1:49:20] Secret Pinterest boards.
[1:52:59] The old lady on the couch game.
[1:57:06] Tug of war.
[1:59:57] Can the business sustainably scale up without selling out?
[2:03:57] Jake’s billboard.
[2:06:00] Parting thoughts.
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