Starbucks: Plan "B"

Interesting blog from the mind of Seth Godin:

Here's today's entrepreneurial trivia question:

Even after Starbucks had five stores and more than 20 employees, which item was unavailable for purchase at their stores: a) Espresso b) Hot Coffee c) Biscotti d) Frappucino® blended beverage

Actually, it's a trick question. The answer is 'all of the above.' It wasn't until several years after the company was up and running that they realized it would be a good idea to sell any beverages at all. All they sold was beans (but you could get a free taste of coffee if you asked nicely).

Just goes to show that it's never too late to change your biz model, and that it's difficult to let go of what you know (and replace it with the unknown).

Comments

[RC of strangeculture]

That's really interesting.

Do you want to change the business model for c28 and the Living Word.

Maybe instead of just selling books/music/clothes we could instead pour hot water over the clothes/books/music and serve the pulpy dyed water as a soup for $4 a bowl!!!

Man, Seth Godin has inspired me!