Responding to yesterday’s FaceTime piece about Monorail Espresso in Seattle, MNB reader Jeff Gartner wrote:
We were visiting our middle daughter and her family in Seattle this past May, and went to the Monorail Espresso walkup window downtown on Pike Street. Of course there was a line at midday Sunday, but the conversation with others in line and their perfect iced Americano (it was a warm sunny day) made it worth the wait. Our barista had to be in his 80’s and he was obviously very experienced, probably could make your drink blindfolded.
Definitely my favorite coffee place in Seattle.
And from another reader:
In your FaceTime Commentary this morning 'You Gotta Have Heart,’ one line jumped right off the page ...
'Competitive moxie is great, but it is even better when you deliver on the promise’.
This is so true. It isn't even about the 'moxie' of saying so. It is only 'moxie' when you DO deliver on the promise.
How many times have we heard over the years: 'Lower Prices', 'Better Value', 'Shorter Lines', 'Our new program will make you loyal', 'Better Service', and yes - a better product. You name the claim.
Call me a cynic, however, all too often retailers come up with the next line in their competitive strategy, yet fail to perform and execute.
Why? My guess is they leave out a couple things key to delivering on it. One is actually having what their claim is, the other is their people being solid believers and exceptional executioners. In other words, they may have the product, but haven't made believers of their people, and haven't invested in them as much as the product to create the exceptional opportunity of not only delivering but making the connection at the time.
By your experience, Michaela had the goods, believed in it, and executed in delivering it in an extraordinary way.
Have it, believe it, and share it ... That's probably why you'll be back.
Great experience with a huge lesson in a small story. Thanks for sharing it!
Regarding Amazon;’s decision to eliminate some bonuses while increasing its US minimum wage to $15/hour - which I said was probably a good idea, since raises have a greater impact on employees’ long-term earnings than bonuses - MNB reader Greg Kerr wrote:
Completely agree that this will be a good thing. Even as a salaried wage earner, I would rather have a higher base, as bonuses are NOT GUARANTEED!
Higher base factors into, higher bonuses (potentially) and ability to contribute at a higher rate for 401k. Sadly pundits will jump on this and state they really did nothing but rob Peter to pay Paul. Looks like a short-term win for Amazon until the pundits rip it to shreds.
Finally, one MNB reader had a thought regarding our story about a new loyAlty program for marijuana consumers:
Sounds Doobieus to me.
Good one.
Definitely my favorite coffee place in Seattle.
And from another reader:
In your FaceTime Commentary this morning 'You Gotta Have Heart,’ one line jumped right off the page ...
'Competitive moxie is great, but it is even better when you deliver on the promise’.
This is so true. It isn't even about the 'moxie' of saying so. It is only 'moxie' when you DO deliver on the promise.
How many times have we heard over the years: 'Lower Prices', 'Better Value', 'Shorter Lines', 'Our new program will make you loyal', 'Better Service', and yes - a better product. You name the claim.
Call me a cynic, however, all too often retailers come up with the next line in their competitive strategy, yet fail to perform and execute.
Why? My guess is they leave out a couple things key to delivering on it. One is actually having what their claim is, the other is their people being solid believers and exceptional executioners. In other words, they may have the product, but haven't made believers of their people, and haven't invested in them as much as the product to create the exceptional opportunity of not only delivering but making the connection at the time.
By your experience, Michaela had the goods, believed in it, and executed in delivering it in an extraordinary way.
Have it, believe it, and share it ... That's probably why you'll be back.
Great experience with a huge lesson in a small story. Thanks for sharing it!
Regarding Amazon;’s decision to eliminate some bonuses while increasing its US minimum wage to $15/hour - which I said was probably a good idea, since raises have a greater impact on employees’ long-term earnings than bonuses - MNB reader Greg Kerr wrote:
Completely agree that this will be a good thing. Even as a salaried wage earner, I would rather have a higher base, as bonuses are NOT GUARANTEED!
Higher base factors into, higher bonuses (potentially) and ability to contribute at a higher rate for 401k. Sadly pundits will jump on this and state they really did nothing but rob Peter to pay Paul. Looks like a short-term win for Amazon until the pundits rip it to shreds.
Finally, one MNB reader had a thought regarding our story about a new loyAlty program for marijuana consumers:
Sounds Doobieus to me.
Good one.
- KC's View:
