Solution Marketing - Starbucks
Here is an exerpt from my forthcoming MLM ebook titled 'Solution Marketing':
What does Starbucks sell?
Most people would immediately say that Starbucks sells coffee, but I believe it is more than that. 7-11 sells coffee, but you don’t get the same feeling sipping coffee from a styrofoam 7-11 cup as you do from a Starbucks cup. There is a feeling you get when you enter a Starbucks. The stores are warm and inviting and the help is energetic and courteous. Starbucks business is not really based on coffee. It is based on the feeling that you get at Starbucks. Yes the product is good, but that is a must in any business today. Starbucks is a solution provider. When a person drives up to a Starbucks, goes in, purchases a coffee, and leaves Starbucks to go back into the world, they feel better for having done so.
Businesses today flourish by solving problems for people. "Solution provider" has a high tech connotation but it applies to every single business. I would challenge you to adjust your thinking and become a solution provider.
Being a solution provider takes the sales and recruiting pressure off of your shoulders. If you aren’t worried about prospecting or sales and just go about your daily life with a sincere interest in helping as many people as you can, you will run into folks that have problems. Not only that, but you will run into folks that have problems that your business has a solution for.
How easy is it to present a solution to someone when they tell you they have a problem and they are looking for a solution to solve it?
Great post. Let me know when you're planning an eBook signing. Now I understand what an e-signature is used for.
Seriously, I look forward to reading your book as soon as it's available.
Posted by: Dave S | October 27, 2004 at 11:52 AM
I love you Ty Tribble son of Bo Short.
Posted by: Qrush | October 27, 2004 at 02:42 PM
I love you Qrush son of Billy Florence, Orrin Woodward, Jody Victor, Fred and God knows how many others.
Posted by: Imran Aziz | October 27, 2004 at 04:01 PM
Don't know how I ever survived without Starbucks. Where I live, there's at least 6 inside a 4 or 5 mile stretch of road...and that's not enough.
Posted by: Shannon | October 27, 2004 at 04:06 PM
Starbucks is a living entity that supports theory of you don't sell the steak, you sell the sizzle.
Tim Horton's in Canada has also done well in that same way.
Well crafted article.
P.S. I love you QRush, son of nobody who would likely admit it. You make the rest of the population look intelligent.
Posted by: rocket | October 27, 2004 at 05:59 PM
Ty Good post. It reminded me of a book I read not to long ago. It was called The Experience Economy by B. Joseph Pine II & James H. Gilmore.
They discuss how our economy has evolved from a commodity to a goods to a service an experience based economy.
They cite the success of "new" companies like Starbucks is because they don't just sell coffee. They sell a coffee experience.
This all falls under the topic of solutions marketing because as "our" needs evolve and change, so too must the solution. – just my 2 cents
Posted by: Brian J | October 27, 2004 at 06:54 PM