Marketing: An Expectation Economy

To successfully market to your target audience, it is necessary to understand the trends in which they, your audience, pays attention to. Watching and tracking cross-industry trends can help you better focus your advertising and marketing dollar more effectively. The following excerpts from an online article is a start to address capitalizing in on your share of this dynamic market.

Sure, we know that what you really, really want is to be told which trends will dictate your industry. If you're in automotive, you want to know about the future of transport; if you're in food and beverage, you're no doubt interested in everything healthy and green and organic. And of course you have a near-obsession with what your main competitors are up to. But in an EXPECTATION ECONOMY, business professionals should obsessively think and look cross-industry, as opposed to suffering from industry tunnel vision.

Here are three reasons why looking cross-industry isn't just great for inspiration, but a prerequisite for understanding how to fuel innovation in an EXPECTATION ECONOMY:

First of all, focusing solely on your own industry will obscure the fact that in economies of abundance, consumers are increasingly spending their 'play money' on goods and services that net them the experience, the indulgence, the excitement, the satisfaction they're looking for at a specific moment.

Secondly, limiting yourself to your own industry will make you miss important changes in consumer expectations, and will thus put you at risk of disappointing or even annoying consumers. Every industry has its own 'innovation competence', and the innovations they're bringing to market not only excite their own customers, they also shape their expectations for other industries.

Last but not least, if you're obsessed with what your direct competition is doing, you will always end up copying new concepts in your industry. Which means that, unless you're comfortable with being a 'smart follower', this is not going to unleash your innovative brilliance.

Now, all of this is of course not to say that you shouldn't actively track what's happening in your own industry. But in the next 12 months, do also constantly ask yourself: who are our other competitors? What experiences could our product or service be traded in for? And what can we learn from other industries setting consumer expectations across the board?

Tracking and understanding THE EXPECTATION ECONOMY is not a science; in fact it's a nice mix of experience, intuition, and knowing your sources. Grab your notebook and camera and start taking EXPECTATION ECONOMY notes and pictures.

Find competitors and non-competitors, big and small, who are setting consumer expectations much higher than you've ever been able to. Then compile what you think are now the global standards for whatever it is you do, and from there start thinking about new goods, services and experiences that at least incorporate those standards, and preferably outdo them.

With a little practice and perseverance, you will begin to see trends that you as an owner can utilize to capture your target market. Sometimes, being the biggest is not necessarily being the best.

(Courtesy: TrendWatching.com

Read the entire story at

www.trendwatching.com/briefing/)

Cuppy's Coffee Real Estate on a Mission

The process of opening your store is a very in-depth and carefully orchestrated strategy developed by Cuppy's Coffee to ascertain the data you need in finding that perfect location. This stage of the project can be the most time consuming and frustrating part of the process, but with the assistance of our trained specialists, we are dedicated to making this process a little less stressful.

When you become a Cuppy's Coffee franchisee, you will work along side an expert in the real estate field who specializes in locating, analyzing and researching A and A+ locations within your specific geographic area. Your specialist is a liaison between you and your landlord, helping you to find, negotiate and secure that prime location.

One key factor in the success of your Cuppy's store is the location. When you become a franchisee you will work one-on-one with specialists who know the real estate market. Most franchisors leave it up to you, and you alone, to find and negotiate your location. Cuppy's prides itself on providing you access to locations and real estate professionals who are dedicated to your overall success.

Working side by side with your specialist, you will have the comfort knowing she is communicating with top local brokers as well as the giants in the real estate development industry. These developers, such as General Growth Properties, Cafaro, Taubman and Simon, give you access to major locations and luxurious shopping centers throughout the United States.

To better understand what your real estate specialist can do for you, you must first understand the different models available to you, as well as their functions and descriptions.

Read more about Cuppy's Coffee Real Estate

"Pimp This..." BK Plans New Menu and Dining Experience:QSR Probably Not to Far Behind

It was just a matter of time. The success of TV reality series like "Pimp my Ride" and "Pimp my Truck" has trickled over into our fast food dining experience. The next generation of BK restaurants may include the phrase "Pimp my Burger".

Burger King announced plan to build a new version of their restaurant called the Whopper Bar that will sell a wider selections of signature burgers in a hipper more Gen Y atmosphere.

Menu items have yet to be finalized but expect names like Western Whopper, the Texas Double Whopper and the Angry Whopper (a burger topped with spicy onions) to rule the board.

If successful look for newer more hip names from all the aspects of the quick serve industry:

Pimp my Coffee, Mack out my Mac, Load my Latte; I can see the marketing gurus chomping at the bits.

Read more about Burger King's vision:

Over Coffee Obama-Bloomberg Talk Politics

Is New York's mayor a potential VP candidate for Obama if he wins the Democratic nomination? Reporters and onlookers all gathered outside a NY cafe as the two discussed politics inside eating and drinking coffee.

The NYC mayor has yet to endorse a candidate for the nomination. This may be also the reason for the Presidential candidate, looking for super delegates to support his nomination for the White House.

The Cuppy's Coffee Cart

The Cuppy's Coffee cart appeals to the most free-spirited franchisees. The cart allows franchisees the freedom to choose when, where and how long they would like to work.

In 2008 the coffee and smoothie cart business will be one of our fastest growing business models due to the fact that you can use it almost anywhere. It works great at high schools, football games, basketball games, little league tournaments, and for any kind of gathering or special event. In fact WedNet.com said espresso coffee carts are growing in popularity as a healthy and safe alternative to alcohol, and they add a classy touch to any occasion!

Elite Mfg and Cuppy's Franchisees Target Open Dates

Cuppy's Coffee franchisees are working towards getting their locations open to the public. The process of opening their stores happens when they've signed a lease and that is where the fun begins. Working with a local general contractor or an Elite Manufacturing Specialist, Cuppy's franchisee begin the tedious task of getting their sites up to trade dress standards. Currently Elite has over 20 projects in the works.

Thinking of Franchising: Here Are The Facts

Thinking of opening your own business? Here are the facts associated with opening a franchise.

There are an estimated 1,500 different franchisors (franchise business companies) operating in the U.S.

There are believed to be more than 750,000 franchise businesses in the U.S.

The franchising industry and businesses employs over 18 million people in the U.S.

In 2004, it is estimated that franchise businesses were responsible for over 1.5 trillion in economic

output.

The franchise industry accounts for 40% of all retail sales in the U.S.

A new franchise business opens every 8 minutes of every business day.

Approximately one out of every 12 businesses in the U.S. is a franchise business.

Franchise fact: More than 75 different industries use franchising as a means to distribute goods and services.

The average initial franchise investment is $250,000- excluding real estate.

The average royalty fees paid by franchisees range from 3% to 6% of monthly gross sales.

Most franchise companies have fewer than 100 units.

The average length of a franchise contract is 10 years.

Top franchise industry- Fast Food.

Top franchise company- McDonalds.