How Starbucks will Win in Italy, What is Your Brand Promise?, Baby Aspirin, Overpaying for Investments
As a Christian business leader you want to accelerate your growth, profit, and witness in the marketplace. Our goal is to bring you the best tips, tools, and techniques to do just that!
So, here we go!
Business
How Starbucks Will Win in Italy – Selling Americanized coffee to the originators of the expresso? Yes. Starbucks is invading the country it stole the idea from to popular outcry from the Italians. Why will they win?
They won’t win by selling coffee, but by providing a “third place” separate from home and work. The “third place” is their brand promise, their competitive differentiator and how they will win in Italy. What is your brand promise? How does it help you win? Great Wired Magazine article here.
Your Brand Promise – Starbucks positions itself not only as a provider of great coffee, but as a “third place.” Zappos doesn’t deliver shoes, it delivers “happiness” through its outstanding customer service. For the longest time, Dominos was not known for the quality of its pizza, but for delivering within 30 minutes. These are brand promises that position you in the minds of your customers. How are you positioning your product, service, and company? Click here to learn more about the Power of Positioning.
Health
Daily Baby Aspirin – Yes or No? – This one is killing me. I have been taking baby aspirin for years under the assumption that was a good idea to fight off heart attack and stroke. Then I hear that taking it isn’t worth the risk of internal bleeding. Since I am not “at elevated risk” for a heart attack or stroke, I’ve stopped taking it. Should you? Only your doctor can tell you but this article from the Mayo clinic will help you ask some educated questions.
Life, Fun, Whatever!
Overpaying for Private Equity– PE shops charge average fees of 6%. This study states that a passive portfolio will significantly outperform the average private equity investment in risk adjusted return after fees. Warren Buffett has always felt this way, stating that PE firms have too great a love for debt. Warren states that managing a company with that much debt is like “mounting a dagger to the steering wheel of your automobile and praying against potholes.” Good reading as you make decisions on your investment portfolio.
Here’s wishing you a great rest of your week!
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