 | New Stuff: surprises, unexpected events like the dessert tray at Creative
Catering and Deli in Woodbine, Georgia. |
| Purists: I am not one to recommend that you only do what starbucks does,
only straights and origins and no flavored coffees. People want to
dring good coffee at home, and how will they get a grand Hazelnut or
Jamaican Me Crazy if you don't sell flavored coffee? |
| Energy and Drive |
| Flexibility heads the list. Things change very fast in this
world. Be flexible to meet head on the new situation. Like if
sales are not what you want for two or three weeks, it won't change unless
you do. If you think you need to do something, you do. |
| If you want to sell whole bean coffee, locate near a supermarket.
Food shopping is prime time to sell beans. And if you are next to a
food store and not selling whole bean, get with it and get the beans. |
| Hot Spots are a must. Clearly there is a correlation between
computers and coffee customers. |
| If you want to run a coffee bar you need a great location with lots of
traffic. Our average ticket is low, so you have to have the volume. |
| Listen, and respond and act upon what your customer
says. |
| Give your customer what they want. Give your customer what they
want. |
| Downtown locations are prevalent among successful independent coffee
houses |
| Good roadside directional signs
are very good for visitors in a tourist area |
| Happy staff who smile and make conversation and know when to back off |
| Cooperation among stores in a regional area (see Eastern
Shore of Virginia) helps all the participants |
| Integrated operations. Like a bookstore
with a coffee bar. |
| Know your real competition |
| Please pull down signs that start or end with 'for customers only'.
Like, 'Bathrooms are for Customers Only'. We are all human and have
the same needs. This sign tells prospects and customers alike about
your attitude. How much money do you spend on marketing? The
object is to get people into your store. If they come for a bathroom,
let them in and see if your store merchandising works on a new face. |
