So we're extremely busy working on a launch of a residential property project in a city just outside of Bombay. Work includes designing the sales experience, the event, the marketing and the PR. Yes, it's a lot and we're swamped. But, we're staying blissful!
Till later!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Retail Reality
So, after a hiatus, I decided to take in some shopping at one of the more popular malls in Bombay, which happens to be one of the larger shopping and entertainment destinations in India.
'High Street Phoenix', whose slogan is aptly- 'a day well spent' because of the various activities it offers, was the destination.
There were a number of stores we visited:Patschouli and Mogra for Indian ethnic wear, Puma, United Colors of Benetton, Marks and Spencer, Pepe Jeans, Lifestyle (a department store owned by the Landmark Group) Lush Cosmetics etc. I was keeping a sharp vigil on something, anything, that could be considered blissful, exciting, or just something beyond the ordinary.
Lush had some great assistants- helpful and knowledgeable. The other stores? Passable service, not-so-interested sales staff, and far from what we call a great brand experience.It was a hot day too. And even though the mall is mostly air-conditioned, people were definitely listless. Come on! There's got to be something exciting here, I thought to myself.
Maybe UCOB could have served up some chilled lemonade, cranked up the music a notch, and had certain hours where it would rain snow from the ceilings- with a 'In here, it feels like winter' theme?
Maybe The Body Shop could have offered some cooling fruity lip balm samples to combat the dry-lip syndrome?
Maybe Mogra could have conducted a workshop on how-to-dress-cool-in-ethnic-Indian?
In this day and age, Information, Communication and Entertainment are important and could even be deal-breakers for consumers, as they decide where to take their business.
On the other side of the world, Topshop in NYC has launched with a bang!
Their idea to hire personal fashion consultants, allows the young and trendy a chance for some high-end pampering.It gives customers more time in the store, with someone who is both aware of the inventory and attuned to people's styles. I wouldn't be surprised if the business brought in by these consultants is well over the average amount spent by a self-shopper.
Pure business genius? I think so.
'High Street Phoenix', whose slogan is aptly- 'a day well spent' because of the various activities it offers, was the destination.
There were a number of stores we visited:Patschouli and Mogra for Indian ethnic wear, Puma, United Colors of Benetton, Marks and Spencer, Pepe Jeans, Lifestyle (a department store owned by the Landmark Group) Lush Cosmetics etc. I was keeping a sharp vigil on something, anything, that could be considered blissful, exciting, or just something beyond the ordinary.
Lush had some great assistants- helpful and knowledgeable. The other stores? Passable service, not-so-interested sales staff, and far from what we call a great brand experience.It was a hot day too. And even though the mall is mostly air-conditioned, people were definitely listless. Come on! There's got to be something exciting here, I thought to myself.
Maybe UCOB could have served up some chilled lemonade, cranked up the music a notch, and had certain hours where it would rain snow from the ceilings- with a 'In here, it feels like winter' theme?
Maybe The Body Shop could have offered some cooling fruity lip balm samples to combat the dry-lip syndrome?
Maybe Mogra could have conducted a workshop on how-to-dress-cool-in-ethnic-Indian?
In this day and age, Information, Communication and Entertainment are important and could even be deal-breakers for consumers, as they decide where to take their business.
On the other side of the world, Topshop in NYC has launched with a bang!
Their idea to hire personal fashion consultants, allows the young and trendy a chance for some high-end pampering.It gives customers more time in the store, with someone who is both aware of the inventory and attuned to people's styles. I wouldn't be surprised if the business brought in by these consultants is well over the average amount spent by a self-shopper.
Pure business genius? I think so.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Some news and an irresistible offer!
A quick update:
We, at 'this is BLISS!' might be doing some marketing consulting for a Garments and Crafts NGO.
...And an offer!
If you know someone who would like some help with marketing their business or creating blissful experiences... or even someone who just needs a second opinion...we're here to listen!
Send us an email at thisisblissconsulting@gmail.com (temporary address, while we get our website up and running) and we'll be happy to take a look! Keep the questions coming, and stay blissful!:)
We, at 'this is BLISS!' might be doing some marketing consulting for a Garments and Crafts NGO.
...And an offer!
If you know someone who would like some help with marketing their business or creating blissful experiences... or even someone who just needs a second opinion...we're here to listen!
Send us an email at thisisblissconsulting@gmail.com (temporary address, while we get our website up and running) and we'll be happy to take a look! Keep the questions coming, and stay blissful!:)
McCustomer
The previous post was a list of examples, that were not made up!Brands do a lot to keep up to and go beyond their promises. I'm sure you know of various ways in which companies "surprise and delight" their most profitable and loyal customers.
Here's a story for you:
McCustomer!
This happened to me years ago, and I thought I would share it, because I still remember it, I still talk about it and it's still relevant.
We were travelling back from Pune, a desitination about 3 hours from Mumbai (or Bombay, as I still like to call it) on Christmas Eve. It was about 11:30 p.m. as we made our way back on a truck-infested highway.We were starving, to say the least! The last we had eaten was a late brunch in Pune city.
Knowing that there was a Mickey D's coming up; we decided that we just had to stop there. We went in and it seemed like they were closed and cleaning up. Not a customer was in sight.
We requested the servers and asked them if there was anything available (yes, we were desperate!). They told us that nothing was left!
They looked around, and decided that they would put together salad and a burger bun; and pineapple jam (from their pies) and a burger bun. Needless to say, these two combinations were not on the menu!As it came time to pay up-the two McD's servers smiled, and blatantly refused to let us pay!
Was it a Christmas act of kindness, or was it the result of some great customer-centric training?
The fact is, it's years later, and I'm still talking about it. So they must have done something right!
Lesson Learned: You have to be on your game at all times -open, closed or rush hour(or in McD's case, lunch hour!)
Here's a story for you:
McCustomer!
This happened to me years ago, and I thought I would share it, because I still remember it, I still talk about it and it's still relevant.
We were travelling back from Pune, a desitination about 3 hours from Mumbai (or Bombay, as I still like to call it) on Christmas Eve. It was about 11:30 p.m. as we made our way back on a truck-infested highway.We were starving, to say the least! The last we had eaten was a late brunch in Pune city.
Knowing that there was a Mickey D's coming up; we decided that we just had to stop there. We went in and it seemed like they were closed and cleaning up. Not a customer was in sight.
We requested the servers and asked them if there was anything available (yes, we were desperate!). They told us that nothing was left!
They looked around, and decided that they would put together salad and a burger bun; and pineapple jam (from their pies) and a burger bun. Needless to say, these two combinations were not on the menu!As it came time to pay up-the two McD's servers smiled, and blatantly refused to let us pay!
Was it a Christmas act of kindness, or was it the result of some great customer-centric training?
The fact is, it's years later, and I'm still talking about it. So they must have done something right!
Lesson Learned: You have to be on your game at all times -open, closed or rush hour(or in McD's case, lunch hour!)
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
What's your BLISS?
Free champagne on that pre-honeymoon flight. A gorgeous invite with your name etched on it.
The morning newspaper,just the way you like it.White tea served at that natural beauty boutique.Jasmine petals strewn in the bathtub, pre-arrival. A smiley drawn into that cappucino.
A hand-written note from your favourite jeweller.
What's your bliss?
The morning newspaper,just the way you like it.White tea served at that natural beauty boutique.Jasmine petals strewn in the bathtub, pre-arrival. A smiley drawn into that cappucino.
A hand-written note from your favourite jeweller.
What's your bliss?
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