Our Blog: Think Personality
- RSS Feeds
- Atom
- RSS 1.0
- 2.0
- RSD
- (What's RSS?)
« Magnetic Advertising | Steve Jobs: "Find what you love" »
June 16, 2005
For Breakfast: Bagel & a Marketing Lesson
Posted by Brian Zopf | Filed under: Marketing
I recently went to a coffee shop (which shall remain nameless) and ordered my usual early morning bagel. I specifically mentioned "eating in" and spelled my name twice for the cashier. (OK, So "Brian" isn't quite as simple as "Ed" or "John," but then it's not exactly "Xavier" either. "Mmmhmm. I see. Your name is Bill. And would you spell that for me please?") You've probably already guessed where I'm going with this...
When my name was called there was some confusion. Fortunately, there were no other "Byrons" around to take my non-fat latte. I was handed a plain bagel, uncut, in a paper bag. When asked if they could toast it for me I was pointed to the microwave. (Close enough. I'm not a picky eater.) "And how about a knife, please, too. I'm gonna have to open this puppy up, somehow." The server rolled his eyes as if to say "What an unreasonable request!" and eventually handed me something slightly resembling a white plastic paper clip.
Now, on some level a bagel is a bagel is a bagel. I don't really see that much difference (I'll probably get lynched for saying this, but according to this sporadic caffeine junkie, the same holds true for coffee). The difference comes down to service and... personality (ding!). Especially in today's world of flooded markets where so many products can look and function the same, the difference between the life and death of a business can hinge on attitude ("Service with a smile!") and quality of service. And it's not just coffee shops and cereal brands either! (By the way, what is the difference between Frosted Flakes, Frosted Mini-Wheats, Frosted Krispies, and Frosted Sugar Bombs?!)
Next time, I'm taking my business elsewhere... where I can get a real plastic knife, an already split bagel, my name pronounced right, and a much-needed morning smile to start my day. Is that really too much to ask?
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://thinkpersonality.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb2006.cgi/103
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference For Breakfast: Bagel & a Marketing Lesson:
» Dad poem single from All2easy net
Bobina variable [Read More]
Tracked on March 5, 2009 3:44 AM
» Vlc video lan player from Azalea native
Rajasthan india package tour [Read More]
Tracked on March 5, 2009 6:32 AM
» Woreld war 1 from Celtic diamond ring wedding
Award presenters [Read More]
Tracked on March 5, 2009 7:37 AM
» Beckett ridge innovation center from Trojan remover crack 6 3 5
Cartoon five jackson [Read More]
Tracked on March 5, 2009 8:52 AM
» College admission letter samples from Scandinavan airlines
Scandinavan airlines [Read More]
Tracked on March 5, 2009 12:17 PM
» Nissan 280 zx turbo from Nissan 280 zx turbo
Investing in stock [Read More]
Tracked on March 8, 2009 4:26 AM
» Investing in stocks from 6 0 download imesh
Investing in stock [Read More]
Tracked on March 8, 2009 4:30 AM
» 5 0 mobile software window from Vintage triumph part
Investing in stock [Read More]
Tracked on March 8, 2009 7:16 AM
» 6 0 download imesh from Nissan 280 zx turbo
Investing in stock [Read More]
Tracked on March 8, 2009 7:38 AM
» Rcon for cod from Rcon for cod
The documentary songlist [Read More]
Tracked on March 14, 2009 6:13 PM
» Symbiotic relationship examples from All2easy net
Bobina variable [Read More]
Tracked on March 14, 2009 8:01 PM
» Nissan 280 zx turbo from Vintage triumph part
Vintage triumph part [Read More]
Tracked on March 14, 2009 9:46 PM
» Am but i name sarah three from Cake server sets
Alta vista babel fis [Read More]
Tracked on March 14, 2009 9:55 PM
» Event calendar april 2006 from Breathe reprise tab
Western stationary [Read More]
Tracked on March 15, 2009 1:31 AM
» Snapper mower engine from Scandinavan airlines
Scandinavan airlines [Read More]
Tracked on March 15, 2009 1:38 AM
» Nissan 280 zx turbo from 5 0 mobile software window
6 0 download imesh [Read More]
Tracked on March 26, 2009 5:10 AM
» Cindys chocolate fountains from College admission letter samples
Scandinavan airlines [Read More]
Tracked on March 26, 2009 10:44 AM