What does your product do?

When I look at products I always ask myself the following:

What does your product do?
Does it make my life easier?
Is it new and unique and fills a niche?
Does it remove an everyday aggravation from my life?
Does your product do something better then another product?
Is your product aesthetically beautiful?
Does your product inspire imagination?
Does your product create a visceral effect?
Does your product conversation worthy?
Does it create a buzz?

So ask yourself, what does your product do? If it does not do several
of these its just another product.

Is Starbucks the new Cheers?

If you have ever spent more than two hours with me you will know I am a fan of Starbucks coffee.

I go there twice a day – different stores depending on my location. Starbucks has made a reputation for quality products. It has also been called the “third space”, not home or work. The third place to hang out or work. But they have also exceed that in so many areas. Customer service is a prime component of the equation. When I go to the stores they know my name, ask me how I am, let me know about specials and usually when I walk in someone recognizes me and starts my drink while I am in line. Is all that necessary to deliver a good product? No. Is it necessary to make people feel like they are part of something bigger? Yes. Like Cheers Bar when Norm walked in everyone said “How’s it going Norm?” and in typical Norm fashion “It’s a dog eat dog world and I am wearing milkbone underwear ! “