A word of advice I got a while back from Tim Ferriss (4 Hour Workweek) was that the best road to working less was to to charge more per hour.
In recessionary times this might sound like a tough line to hold yet did Apple find its way back to success by giving away its products.
No, it made them desirable.
The value versus price argument has been on my mind of late.
Frank Bruni illustrates that tension in Foie Gras Palates, Hot Dog Pocketbooks (NY Times, July 18) and notes that food porn has now moved to fast food territory with the war of the doughnuts (Dunkin D versus Tim H).
Ron Shaich (Panera Bread) offered in April 2009 a contrarian view that has stayed with me:
sacrificing it in the interest of gaining sales tomorrow, simply based
on price. And when you compete on price, you simply tell people what
you are worth, which is less than what you were selling it for the week
before."
Is it all about making a quick buck now, anyway we can?
Food purveyors big and small might instead find it wise to focus on health factors as obesity and diabetes are a growing concern.
In the US there is an obsession with portions (very large).
Is quantity the same as quality?
Cutting portions and offering healthier menu items could bring some life back to the bottom line.
As an example, the talented French duo at MadMac highlight the fact that their delicious Macarons (pictured below) are Gluten Free and contain no preservatives.
Being creative, imaginative about menu changes rather than run for the cheap, fatty stuff might also earn you some goodwill.
Maybe it's time to change the conversation and think of the experience, the wow factor people who visit your digs leave with.
They will be your best advertisement.
From Food Porn to Price Porn, Monday Work Etiquette # 99
Previously: Scan 800 Barcodes Per Hour, Give 500 Thank You A Day, Ready for Checkout