Comments on: Starbucks Launching Social Network http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/ new media strategies and other marketing gems Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:23:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Kevin http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/comment-page-1/#comment-109907 Kevin Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:13:47 +0000 http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/#comment-109907 While I also applaud Starbucks for creating a process that brings customers into their innovation process, there is also a downside you didn't mention. Competitors, ranging from Peet's to the hole-in-the-wall corner coffee shop, can also access Starbucks' innovation discussion. This is a treasure trove of what customers are looking for, what has been tried, and what works or doesn't work. To top it off, Starbucks is doing a great job of interacting, thereby providing more free market research. I'm still in favor of what Starbucks has done, but if I was a small-timer I'd also be perousing the suggestion boards every day! More on this specific topic from a business excellence perspective at: http://www.evolvingexcellence.com/blog/2008/04/morro-bay-coffe.html Best, Kevin While I also applaud Starbucks for creating a process that brings customers into their innovation process, there is also a downside you didn’t mention. Competitors, ranging from Peet’s to the hole-in-the-wall corner coffee shop, can also access Starbucks’ innovation discussion. This is a treasure trove of what customers are looking for, what has been tried, and what works or doesn’t work. To top it off, Starbucks is doing a great job of interacting, thereby providing more free market research.

I’m still in favor of what Starbucks has done, but if I was a small-timer I’d also be perousing the suggestion boards every day!

More on this specific topic from a business excellence perspective at:

http://www.evolvingexcellence.com/blog/2008/04/morro-bay-coffe.html

Best,
Kevin

]]> By: Phil Myers http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/comment-page-1/#comment-94505 Phil Myers Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:03:59 +0000 http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/#comment-94505 Yes, the excitement of the new car has rubbed off. I remember when folks used to laugh at me for stopping and using that new foreign language I'd learned. You've probably hit the core issue for them ... fad or a great launch at owning the 'morning out experience' that lost its way. Time will tell. Yes, the excitement of the new car has rubbed off. I remember when folks used to laugh at me for stopping and using that new foreign language I’d learned.

You’ve probably hit the core issue for them … fad or a great launch at owning the ‘morning out experience’ that lost its way. Time will tell.

]]> By: Douglas Karr http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/comment-page-1/#comment-94329 Douglas Karr Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:22:59 +0000 http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/#comment-94329 I agree Phil. I wonder how much is lost simply because Starbucks doesn't have that 'new car smell'? Being trendy is a very brittle foundation to build your business on and it tends to cloud a company's vision of itself and its importance. I think much of Starbuck's success was the trendiness of a cool drink with lots of words at an expensive price. I agree Phil. I wonder how much is lost simply because Starbucks doesn’t have that ‘new car smell’?

Being trendy is a very brittle foundation to build your business on and it tends to cloud a company’s vision of itself and its importance. I think much of Starbuck’s success was the trendiness of a cool drink with lots of words at an expensive price.

]]> By: Phil Myers http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/comment-page-1/#comment-94328 Phil Myers Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:03:17 +0000 http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/#comment-94328 We see this all the time don't we? Great idea, breakthrough product and company, scales to take advantage of a hot brand ... and then starts expanding like crazy with add-on products and locations and begins to lose its core. I'm still stopping by my Starbucks everyday but its lost a lot of its appeal along the way. I like that Shultz is back at the helm ... reminds of Jobs coming back into Apple ... it should bring them back closer to offering a cool experience. Social media connections are at least opening the doors in a new way. My idea for them would be to listen carefully for the reasons why existing customers are no longer coming, others are going to McDonalds and why folks find it too much of a hassle to even consider. One thing I'd put right out there is they've got to stop nickle and diming the experience. I agree about the wireless hookup. Anyway, the answers are out there. Far too powerful a brand for them not to find a way to fix it. Phil We see this all the time don’t we? Great idea, breakthrough product and company, scales to take advantage of a hot brand … and then starts expanding like crazy with add-on products and locations and begins to lose its core.

I’m still stopping by my Starbucks everyday but its lost a lot of its appeal along the way. I like that Shultz is back at the helm … reminds of Jobs coming back into Apple … it should bring them back closer to offering a cool experience. Social media connections are at least opening the doors in a new way.

My idea for them would be to listen carefully for the reasons why existing customers are no longer coming, others are going to McDonalds and why folks find it too much of a hassle to even consider. One thing I’d put right out there is they’ve got to stop nickle and diming the experience. I agree about the wireless hookup. Anyway, the answers are out there. Far too powerful a brand for them not to find a way to fix it.

Phil

]]> By: Douglas Karr http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/comment-page-1/#comment-94321 Douglas Karr Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:48:43 +0000 http://marketingtechblog.com/2008/03/20/starbucks-launching-social-network/#comment-94321 I think I agree with you, Dave. For the 'short term', it appears they are just soliciting feedback and it's really not a 'social network' in the typical sense. It will be interesting to see if they implement the top 2 - free wireless & comfortable seats. Both of those keep patrons around longer... something that a mass production coffee house might not appreciate. You don't sell more when there's no place to sit! I think I agree with you, Dave. For the ’short term’, it appears they are just soliciting feedback and it’s really not a ’social network’ in the typical sense. It will be interesting to see if they implement the top 2 - free wireless & comfortable seats.

Both of those keep patrons around longer… something that a mass production coffee house might not appreciate. You don’t sell more when there’s no place to sit!

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