brand-as-business bit: What was old is new again; what is big isn’t best; what’s happening halfway around the world matters here. These ironies describe the retail customer experience landscape in America today. That was my takeaway from a session at the Retail Customer Experience Summit I attended yesterday. The presentation was by Chris Peterson who travels […]
(Here’s a new Brand Experience Brief. Check out other video briefings about the brand experiences at new or interesting restaurant or retail concepts.) Farm to Table is a growing movement in American culture and True Food Kitchen, a new restaurant concept, is poised to seize the moment with a well-designed brand experience. Brand Experience Brief: […]
(The following is the first in a two-part blog-exchange I’m doing with Annette Franz Gleinicki, a customer experience expert focused on improving customer and employee experiences. I follow Annette on Twitter and have learned so much from her writings. Because we have similar perspectives on customer experience, we decided share with our readers each others’ thoughts on […]
brand-as-business bit: Hold the cone! No, I don’t mean “hold the phone.” I’m saying “hold the cone” because that’s what ice cream shop workers should do. Allow me to explain: Recently while in the Virgin America terminal at SFO, I decided to treat myself to some Pinkberry. After preparing my cone of yogurt yumminess, the […]
(Here’s the latest brand experience brief. In each of these short videos, I provide an audit and analysis of a new or interesting restaurant or retail concept.) Cafe Bene has become a coffee brand with excellent cafe design. Caffe Bene may be to Starbucks what Smashburger is to McDonald’s — a niche competitor with a distinctive product […]
brand-as-business bit: I recently spoke at CAMEX, the trade show and educational event for the collegiate retailing industry, produced by the National Association of College Stores. My topic was “More Walk, Less Talk: Build Your Brand through Culture & Customer Experience“ and I inspired and taught attendees how to drive their brand promise into their company culture and implement a […]
Ron Johnson’s departure from J.C. Penney last week can be attributed to his low CQ, that is, Customer Quotient. Just as some leaders have been accused of low EQ, emotional quotient (defined as the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself and of others), Johnson lacked the ability to identify, assess, and […]
(Here’s a slightly different brand experience brief. Instead of providing a video audit and analysis of a unique retail or restaurant brand experience, I contrast two direct competitors.) The New Balance and Nike stores across the street from each other in New York City’s Flatiron district delivered unique brand experiences in their own way. Check […]
(Welcome to the newest brand experience brief. In each of these short videos, I provide an audit and analysis of a new or interesting restaurant or retail concept.) Denny’s is embracing the brand positioning “America’s Favorite Diner.” Its new flagship location on Las Vegas’s Fremont Street reflects this new positioning, while including several Las Vegas […]
(Check out my latest Brand Experience Brief — a video audit and analysis of a new or interesting restaurant or retail concept.) The Whole Foods store in Encinitas, California, brings the best of a farmers’ market and the best of a national grocer together, demonstrating how a national brand can engage its local communities authentically. […]