I’m just back from nearly three weeks in the US and spent considerable time in New York – it is, as ever, just about the most stimulating city on the planet. I saw some amazing retailing and some inspirational restaurants but I have to say the quality of the coffee bars (that I saw anyway)… Read More »
One of the things I preach endlessly to clients is to make a big issue out of stories. To keep the customer educated on the detail of how you do what you do. The glamour of running any coffee business quickly recedes in our minds as we deal with the relentless daily tasks of hiring/firing,… Read More »
Now that I’m not actually employing anyone or not actually directly managing any coffee business myself I tend to look back and think “am I making it all too simple?” I wonder am I forgetting just how much hassle it is to employ people, to deal with the EHO, to ensure that rotas are efficient… Read More »
I remain convinced that one of the key skills you need to set up and create a successful business is ability to be totally immune to criticism. In fact it pretty much applies to every part of life. I sat with my nine year old daughter yesterday and noticed she was wearing her little gold… Read More »
…… so what are doing to keep them ? Most of us know that we need new customers …. in fact, most people devote the vast majority of their time, money and energy on acquiring new customers and all but ignoring existing business … a huge mistake. There are only 3 ways outside of new… Read More »
Last nights “The Apprentice” highlighted once again the tremendous power of sampling. “Ere, let us have a little bit of that to try mate? – go on – I’ll give you a job if you do” For those who didn’t see it the teams were dispatched to France with British food (of their chosing) to… Read More »
Here’s a fascinating experiment. Go to Amazon.com and type in “Selling” You will find there are more than 297,000 books on offer to do with selling or the selling process. I have no doubt that some of them are very good and I’ve even read a few of them myself but sometimes in the coffee… Read More »