Positively 'NO'
"A 'NO' uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a 'YES' merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble." by Mahatoma Gandhi
When I read this, Wayne, the landlord for Snappy's came to my mind first as I remembered the day he told me NO to rent the space over 3 years ago. I know many people give me somewhat nice remarks when I talk about my plan of opening a coffee shop because they do not want to sound negative. But a 'NO' with caring concern means a lot to me as well.
As I proceed with the plan, I have to make lots of decisions, and sometimes my answer to nice offers or requests will be NO. It is a tough thing to say, but sometimes it is better to be clear and focused on the business than wishy-washy stuff.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
When I read this, Wayne, the landlord for Snappy's came to my mind first as I remembered the day he told me NO to rent the space over 3 years ago. I know many people give me somewhat nice remarks when I talk about my plan of opening a coffee shop because they do not want to sound negative. But a 'NO' with caring concern means a lot to me as well.
As I proceed with the plan, I have to make lots of decisions, and sometimes my answer to nice offers or requests will be NO. It is a tough thing to say, but sometimes it is better to be clear and focused on the business than wishy-washy stuff.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Thank you letter
I was reading a blog by a Japanese business consultant specialized in hair salon/barber shop field about thank you letters. In Japan, it is less of a custom to send a card to show appreciation than it is in the US, although sending gift maybe more popular there than here.
Yes, it takes time to write it, but it would differentiate myself from competition. Would Starbucks (or even Peet's) send a hand-written thank you card to their customers for any occasion? Probably not.
Mr. Kitamura's blog reminded me to write a thank you letter to Mr. Joe, my neighbor who gave me some veggies from his backyard last week:
The blue stuff on left is a memory stick, for size reference.
As I looked for the card through my drawers, I realized it will be easier to have some blanks handy.
Thank you Mr. Kitamura for the opportunity to think and send a card to Mr. Joe.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Yes, it takes time to write it, but it would differentiate myself from competition. Would Starbucks (or even Peet's) send a hand-written thank you card to their customers for any occasion? Probably not.
Mr. Kitamura's blog reminded me to write a thank you letter to Mr. Joe, my neighbor who gave me some veggies from his backyard last week:
The blue stuff on left is a memory stick, for size reference.
As I looked for the card through my drawers, I realized it will be easier to have some blanks handy.
Thank you Mr. Kitamura for the opportunity to think and send a card to Mr. Joe.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Superautomatic espresso machine
(Continued from "Kaizen")
Pros:
1. Fast
2. Consistent
3. Little downtime due to breakage - SBX machines are made so that different parts can come out and replaced with another one in case of malfunction.
4. Less movement means less injury. - A few months ago, I mentioned a little about wrist injury associated with repetitive tampering.
Cons:
1. Expensive
2. Cannot "custom make" a shot. - For example, some coffee shops offer "Cubano" shots made by extracting coffee grind and brown sugar together. Superautomatic does not let you do this.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Pros:
1. Fast
2. Consistent
3. Little downtime due to breakage - SBX machines are made so that different parts can come out and replaced with another one in case of malfunction.
4. Less movement means less injury. - A few months ago, I mentioned a little about wrist injury associated with repetitive tampering.
Cons:
1. Expensive
2. Cannot "custom make" a shot. - For example, some coffee shops offer "Cubano" shots made by extracting coffee grind and brown sugar together. Superautomatic does not let you do this.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
No. 1 asset
of business owners (or actually anyone) is her/his HEALTH.
I have been busy working at a factory (to save money for the cafe) and got sick. I can still work there as I am the only one in the lab and my office most of the time. But can't do that if I am serving coffee.
Actually, when I was writing Japanese version of this entry, my friend running an espresso cart at outdoor event called me. He was looking for someone to work for him tomorrow, as his barista just canceled on him.
I had to decline. What a shame!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I have been busy working at a factory (to save money for the cafe) and got sick. I can still work there as I am the only one in the lab and my office most of the time. But can't do that if I am serving coffee.
Actually, when I was writing Japanese version of this entry, my friend running an espresso cart at outdoor event called me. He was looking for someone to work for him tomorrow, as his barista just canceled on him.
I had to decline. What a shame!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Kaizen
"Latest Starbucks Buzzword: 'Lean' Japanese Techniques"
Another Wall Street Journal article caught my eyes. The article explains Toyota's Kaizen has improved SBX's bottom line while the employees (called 'partners') fear that the chain will become another fast food joints.
But Kaizen assumes unlimited resource which Toyota and Starbucks may be able to afford. Small companies and independent shops cannot.
For example, their espresso machine is called "superautomatic" which grinds beans, fills the filter with the grind, presses the grind into the filter, runs hot water through it and discharges espresso shots into a paper cup (phew!) in about 30 seconds.
The more 'traditional' way employed at most of independent shops requires all steps above manually, taking about 90 seconds, during which Starbucks can make 2 more shots.
Beside speed, there are pro's and con's of each system. I will continue my discussion later.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Another Wall Street Journal article caught my eyes. The article explains Toyota's Kaizen has improved SBX's bottom line while the employees (called 'partners') fear that the chain will become another fast food joints.
But Kaizen assumes unlimited resource which Toyota and Starbucks may be able to afford. Small companies and independent shops cannot.
For example, their espresso machine is called "superautomatic" which grinds beans, fills the filter with the grind, presses the grind into the filter, runs hot water through it and discharges espresso shots into a paper cup (phew!) in about 30 seconds.
The more 'traditional' way employed at most of independent shops requires all steps above manually, taking about 90 seconds, during which Starbucks can make 2 more shots.
Beside speed, there are pro's and con's of each system. I will continue my discussion later.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
To pull or not to pull?
"No More Perks: Coffee Shops Pull the Plug on Laptop Users
They Sit for Hours and Don't Spend Much; Getting the Bum's Rush in the Big Apple"
A Wall Street Journal article on August 6th tells that some independent coffee shops in New York are limiting or prohibiting laptop usage as the users do not contribute to the business as much.
I totally understand shops' point of view. Especially nowadays with so many people without job, many of them just sit there with a cup of $1.50 coffee and surf the net all day. Then the shop loses business when someone willing to buy lunch walks away due to lack of seating.
I also understand customer's point of view. Many people cannot afford Internet at home and/or need to check emails on the go.
Snappy's may choose not to have electrical outlets accessible to the customers.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
They Sit for Hours and Don't Spend Much; Getting the Bum's Rush in the Big Apple"
A Wall Street Journal article on August 6th tells that some independent coffee shops in New York are limiting or prohibiting laptop usage as the users do not contribute to the business as much.
I totally understand shops' point of view. Especially nowadays with so many people without job, many of them just sit there with a cup of $1.50 coffee and surf the net all day. Then the shop loses business when someone willing to buy lunch walks away due to lack of seating.
I also understand customer's point of view. Many people cannot afford Internet at home and/or need to check emails on the go.
Snappy's may choose not to have electrical outlets accessible to the customers.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
"Snappy" logo being created
Graphic designer Zeki has been patiently working with me to create a logo for the shop.
When we started talking about this project, Zeki asked if he could visit the shop site.
"? Wanna see a construction site to draw a logo?" I wondered. But after the visit he said that helped him to learn the image of the shop and come up with ideas. He has been making awesome suggestions, and the logo is in progress.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
When we started talking about this project, Zeki asked if he could visit the shop site.
"? Wanna see a construction site to draw a logo?" I wondered. But after the visit he said that helped him to learn the image of the shop and come up with ideas. He has been making awesome suggestions, and the logo is in progress.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Resolution revisited
Since I have acquired a new laptop computer and a car, I have decided to revisit learning Spanish. No more excuse for not being able to burn a CD or to listen to it during my commute! So I checked out Pimsleur's CD's at the library:
Then I remembered my new year's resolution announced at this blog in January. That included:
- Review business finance. Check again for loan availability.
- Learn more Spanish.
- Acquire other skills necessary for coffee shop operation, such as self-defense techniques.
Surprisingly, I was just revising my financial plan to submit to a potential investor I met in Japan right before I started writing this blog entry. And more, I was just thinking about asking my friend regarding self-defense class this morning!
This is more than just a coincidence, I believe. So I shall continue acting on my plan. Will look up classes after logging off this blog.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Then I remembered my new year's resolution announced at this blog in January. That included:
- Review business finance. Check again for loan availability.
- Learn more Spanish.
- Acquire other skills necessary for coffee shop operation, such as self-defense techniques.
Surprisingly, I was just revising my financial plan to submit to a potential investor I met in Japan right before I started writing this blog entry. And more, I was just thinking about asking my friend regarding self-defense class this morning!
This is more than just a coincidence, I believe. So I shall continue acting on my plan. Will look up classes after logging off this blog.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Business as usual (?) in Tokyo
I was impressed with tons of stores and restaurants in Tokyo and with the fact that most of them were filled with people making transactions (not just window-shopping.) Who said there is 'recession' in Japan??
Then I realized a simple fact; there are more people in smaller space in Japan than in US. So, even though there are more stores per square feet, that does not mean more stores per person, dahhh!
According to the data on Wikipedia, population density is 870 per square feet, 34th in the world, as opposed to United States' 80 per square feet, 177th. Basically Japan is 10 times as crowded as US is. No wonder people are buying stuff from left to right!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Then I realized a simple fact; there are more people in smaller space in Japan than in US. So, even though there are more stores per square feet, that does not mean more stores per person, dahhh!
According to the data on Wikipedia, population density is 870 per square feet, 34th in the world, as opposed to United States' 80 per square feet, 177th. Basically Japan is 10 times as crowded as US is. No wonder people are buying stuff from left to right!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Samurai band
I happened to see a band called Mutsunokami Yoshiyuki when I went to see my friend's band in Osaka. I had no idea what kind of band was playing after my friend's and was puzzled with shamisen (Japanese string instrument, looks like a guitar with 3 strings) song played while stage was being sat up. Then I was so impressed with their music and performance. You just have to watch them what I mean!
After their performance, their staff quickly came around to distribute survey forms with clipboards to collect comments and email address. Band members were still in their hakama selling CD's. Nice follow-up promotion.
At this event I saw a few other bands varying in age, level and popularity. Few things I felt:
1. The level of performance may not correlate to size of the audience.
=> Offering a good cup of coffee itself may not bring in too many customers at Snappy's.
2. Large audience may mean they are popular, well-known.
=> If people don't know where Snappy's is, how could they come?
3. In addition to advertisement, having a large exposure, such as at a popular event, is another promotion method.
=> Snappy's could offer (free) coffee at a large event. I have to think more about increasing the exposure.
4. You have to follow up the audience so that they return.
I thank Mako, Garma and Zenkichi of Fascist for helping me to attend this event.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
