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If you're going to do something, do it with conviction.
If you have to apologise should you be doing it?
If you have to apologise should you be doing it?
What stops you doing what you want to do?
Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start. How many ideas are started in coffee shops? And how many of those Ideas are left in the pages of well meaning journals ? Often its not the practical things that stop us; money, time or experience but it’s the vision. I’m a big picture person. I love seeing what could be, joining the dots and getting excited about the new. However I have had to learn that life moves slower than my mind works, and that the best place to start sometimes is anywhere. I can help you start, ask the right questions, figure out the small steps and create a plan.
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My work at TazZa Coffee has now finished. Head over to our Facebook page to see the photo story of the refurb (or click here) and get in touch if you're in interested doing in doing something similar.
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It’s never what you do but why you do it. That was the story for TazZa Coffee in Sutton, Surrey.
For 7 years it had a presence on the high street, however management and staff issues, the usual supplier constraints and the high street environment led to a down turn in business and United Life Church looking for answers.
The first thing I did was help them work through what their core values were and then we started to implement a plan of simplicity and efficiency based on those. To cut a long story short, with my help, they took the brave decision to close the shop for a refurb and build a new space, retrain staff and refocus the business.
Time will tell but already sales are up and there is a buzz around town Although there is a long way to go before labelling it a success the solid foundations are in place to
build on for longevity and to achieve its ultimate goal- to change their piece of the world in Sutton .
For 7 years it had a presence on the high street, however management and staff issues, the usual supplier constraints and the high street environment led to a down turn in business and United Life Church looking for answers.
The first thing I did was help them work through what their core values were and then we started to implement a plan of simplicity and efficiency based on those. To cut a long story short, with my help, they took the brave decision to close the shop for a refurb and build a new space, retrain staff and refocus the business.
Time will tell but already sales are up and there is a buzz around town Although there is a long way to go before labelling it a success the solid foundations are in place to
build on for longevity and to achieve its ultimate goal- to change their piece of the world in Sutton .
How are you feeling?
The question used to be "how did we do?"
It was all about service and what you did for people, meeting their expectations.
The landscape has changed, nowadays it's more about the experience and how you make people feel. You don't need to get it "right", in part because there isn't a right way.
The challenge is to find the right question and meet people in the answers.
Need help with finding the question? let's grab a coffee and chat
The question used to be "how did we do?"
It was all about service and what you did for people, meeting their expectations.
The landscape has changed, nowadays it's more about the experience and how you make people feel. You don't need to get it "right", in part because there isn't a right way.
The challenge is to find the right question and meet people in the answers.
Need help with finding the question? let's grab a coffee and chat
Stress and the challenge
Anyone who has worked within a coffee shop environment will know there is always something to do. The business throws things at you left, right and centre and nothing is as simple or as easy as you first think, especially if you are trying to push boundaries and do things differently.
It's at these times you have a choice. What do you see?
Do you see the challenge and opportunity or do you see the problems?
"You see a mousetrap.... i see FREE cheese & a Challenge" - Scroobious Pip
Anyone who has worked within a coffee shop environment will know there is always something to do. The business throws things at you left, right and centre and nothing is as simple or as easy as you first think, especially if you are trying to push boundaries and do things differently.
It's at these times you have a choice. What do you see?
Do you see the challenge and opportunity or do you see the problems?
"You see a mousetrap.... i see FREE cheese & a Challenge" - Scroobious Pip
Focus on the WHY not the WHAT
New year, new focus. However many businesses focus on the wrong things. When creating plans for change its easy, and more exciting, to think about what you're going to do differently. New products to try or new ways of doing things. Its easy to get caught in the trap that that if you DO things differently you'll BE different. The truth is that change needs to happen at a foundational level. Thinking through the important (but boring) stuff will lead to lasting change and create a different culture that becomes the change you want to see.
I'm currently working with a coffee shop that is thinking through and focusing on it's values. One of which is "building community'. At present they are having trouble finding a consistent sandwich provider, the temptation is to google and find a big company that can just fulfil what you need. This might solve the problem of WHAT you want to do (sell sandwiches) but it doesn't fit with the WHY (building community). I suggested that they look for a local bakery where they can build a great working relationship, be more involved and ultimately build community commercially, economically and relationally. Its the harder way but focusing on the foundations will mean your message and products will be more consistent and you are staying true to your values.
If your WHAT isn't serving your WHY let's grab a coffee and chat
New year, new focus. However many businesses focus on the wrong things. When creating plans for change its easy, and more exciting, to think about what you're going to do differently. New products to try or new ways of doing things. Its easy to get caught in the trap that that if you DO things differently you'll BE different. The truth is that change needs to happen at a foundational level. Thinking through the important (but boring) stuff will lead to lasting change and create a different culture that becomes the change you want to see.
I'm currently working with a coffee shop that is thinking through and focusing on it's values. One of which is "building community'. At present they are having trouble finding a consistent sandwich provider, the temptation is to google and find a big company that can just fulfil what you need. This might solve the problem of WHAT you want to do (sell sandwiches) but it doesn't fit with the WHY (building community). I suggested that they look for a local bakery where they can build a great working relationship, be more involved and ultimately build community commercially, economically and relationally. Its the harder way but focusing on the foundations will mean your message and products will be more consistent and you are staying true to your values.
If your WHAT isn't serving your WHY let's grab a coffee and chat
Why we need more purpose driven companies than ever.
Black Friday is nearly here. And the thing we will learn from most companies is how much discount they are willing to give us in order to buy their product.
But, for a tiny few brands, they will tell us what they care about. They will tell us about what drives them. They will tell us why they exist. They are the change makers.
This Black Friday Patagonia will give 100% of its sales to grassroots environmental groups. REI will be closing its website. And giving their staff a day off. And encouraging their customers to venture outdoors. Nearer to home, Hiut Denim Co (Disclosure: We run that too) will be closing its website for 24 hours. The throwaway culture that Black Friday promotes is the opposite to what it stands for. Thankfully, there will be lots of other small makers opting out of Black Friday as well.
But there is a bigger context than just Black Friday. It is now clear that we will be looking less to our governments for answers in terms of protecting the planet and our human wellbeing than we used to. So there is a greater urgency to start more companies and communities that will make a positive change.
In short, we need more change makers. We need more Toms shoes. We need more Sugrus. We need more Kickstarters. We need more Lululemons. We need more Interfaces.
(This is an except taken from DO )
Black Friday is nearly here. And the thing we will learn from most companies is how much discount they are willing to give us in order to buy their product.
But, for a tiny few brands, they will tell us what they care about. They will tell us about what drives them. They will tell us why they exist. They are the change makers.
This Black Friday Patagonia will give 100% of its sales to grassroots environmental groups. REI will be closing its website. And giving their staff a day off. And encouraging their customers to venture outdoors. Nearer to home, Hiut Denim Co (Disclosure: We run that too) will be closing its website for 24 hours. The throwaway culture that Black Friday promotes is the opposite to what it stands for. Thankfully, there will be lots of other small makers opting out of Black Friday as well.
But there is a bigger context than just Black Friday. It is now clear that we will be looking less to our governments for answers in terms of protecting the planet and our human wellbeing than we used to. So there is a greater urgency to start more companies and communities that will make a positive change.
In short, we need more change makers. We need more Toms shoes. We need more Sugrus. We need more Kickstarters. We need more Lululemons. We need more Interfaces.
(This is an except taken from DO )
What do you value?
One of the things that I promote in any consultation is Values Driven Business. Most businesses focus on results, the bottom line and tasks. They then work backwards from that point to inform their decisions and how to grow the business. My challenge has always been to find out your values and build a consistent message from there. If your business reflects who you are in a truly holistic way decisions become easier and the way forward is clearer resulting in profitability and xxxx.
it feels a bit counter intuitive. In a world of cookie cutter coffee shops it pays to be different and to know who you are.
One of the things that I promote in any consultation is Values Driven Business. Most businesses focus on results, the bottom line and tasks. They then work backwards from that point to inform their decisions and how to grow the business. My challenge has always been to find out your values and build a consistent message from there. If your business reflects who you are in a truly holistic way decisions become easier and the way forward is clearer resulting in profitability and xxxx.
it feels a bit counter intuitive. In a world of cookie cutter coffee shops it pays to be different and to know who you are.
What you saying?
I saw this outside a cafe, near a bus stop, just off a busy high street. To stop people using their outside seating , this sign is the first thing you see. The problem with this is what it unintentionally says about the business. How welcome do you feel? Would you want to stop there for a coffee?
Business values need to permeate your business in a holistic way. What you say is as important as how you say it.
I saw this outside a cafe, near a bus stop, just off a busy high street. To stop people using their outside seating , this sign is the first thing you see. The problem with this is what it unintentionally says about the business. How welcome do you feel? Would you want to stop there for a coffee?
Business values need to permeate your business in a holistic way. What you say is as important as how you say it.
Success in 8 Words *
Passion
Do Something for Nothing
When asked what he was going to do with his substantial Wimbledon winnings,
Rafa Nadal paused, and then replied; "
the most important thing is to do things in exchange for nothing, because what makes you truly happy is not material."
Work
Do what you love and love what you do
There are no short cuts
Good
Be good at what you do
Practice practice practice
Don’t try to be perfect
Focus
Be single minded
You can’t be everything to everyone, you just be nothing to no one
Push
Yourself and each other
Forge a culture of excellence
Serve
Lead from behind
Serve others something of value
Ideas
“I had an idea” – Bill Gates
Listen, Observe and question
Persist
Be here now/be present
*ideas thought about and added to from a TED Talk
Passion
Do Something for Nothing
When asked what he was going to do with his substantial Wimbledon winnings,
Rafa Nadal paused, and then replied; "
the most important thing is to do things in exchange for nothing, because what makes you truly happy is not material."
Work
Do what you love and love what you do
There are no short cuts
Good
Be good at what you do
Practice practice practice
Don’t try to be perfect
Focus
Be single minded
You can’t be everything to everyone, you just be nothing to no one
Push
Yourself and each other
Forge a culture of excellence
Serve
Lead from behind
Serve others something of value
Ideas
“I had an idea” – Bill Gates
Listen, Observe and question
Persist
Be here now/be present
*ideas thought about and added to from a TED Talk