From the monthly archives:

October 2008

On satisfaction guarantees

October 28, 2008

I posted yesterday about an off-putting experience at Starbucks. Basically, I felt like I was watching an Italian cafe experience production machine as opposed to a bunch of people making me a good cup of coffee in a nice setting. I started thinking about Starbucks’ satisfaction guarantee. I don’t remember the exact language, but they […]

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A manufactured experience

October 27, 2008

I had a strange feeling at Starbucks this morning. Strange and unpleasant. While waiting for my coffee, I was just sort of watching the process as customers came in and ordered their whatever and the order were taken, relayed to the people towards the back, prepared and then handed to the consumer. This was a […]

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Stupid branding and a sad commentary on our country

October 15, 2008

My brother sent me the attached article on a pizza eating contest. Now I love pizza as much as the next guy, but I have to tell you that these eating contests are both ridiculous and slightly evil. Ridiculous, because the eating is not about nutrition or pleasure. It’s about a silly ego thing which […]

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A little oasis of reliability

October 14, 2008

It’s nice to know in this crazy world that sometimes things are just what they purport to be.

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So close!

October 13, 2008

On my way home one evening, I passed this pickup. The signs on the back were so remarkable that I stopped to take a picture. Now that’s a pretty big deal. I stopped on my way home after a full day’s work before having dinner to look at this truck because I thought the signs […]

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So how did I do?

October 12, 2008

I just came back from a wonderful weekend with great friends. Had a chance to check out the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Gaithersburg, MD. Awesome place and the beer was really good. I also joined the City of Hope, Walk for Hope to cure breast cancer. Of course, I felt much more hopeful immediately after […]

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Doesn’t this ruin the joke?

October 12, 2008

Why would anyone go if they already know?

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On 5 minute vs. 5 year bombs

October 6, 2008

Innovation is tough. We all know this. It has become an article of faith. Right? I don’t think so. I don’t think innovation is any tougher than anything else we do. Marketing is tough. Sales is tough. R&D is tough. Life is tough. I think the bigger challenge for innovation is not how tough it […]

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