Cafe 1.
Lisa, Izobel (aged 8) and I wandered into a new cafe in Hexham. I love Hexham and I love independent retailers. So, for today, it was Cafe Nero – no. This new place – yes.
All 20 or so tables inside were empty, except one. So we took our pick and sat down. One of the three ladies behind the counter broke away from their chat, wandered over and said, “When you’re ready just come up and order,” before wandering back to the three-way conversation behind the counter.
So we left.
I was reminded by this that, in any business, one of the greatest indicators of likely success or failure is very often not about the business itself. It’s about how what you do, or what you don’t do, makes me feel. Because even when you don’t think you’re brand building – you are.
Cafe 2.
I turned up for a meeting in Allendale (nice place) early. 8.45am instead of 9am. My client’s office was through a nice little cafe that opened at 9am. I walked past the ‘closed’ sign, into the cafe, and a nice lady wandered through.
‘Ah.’ She said. ‘Are you here to see John?’ as asked as she waved towards the little offices as the back of her cafe. ‘Yes’ said I. ‘Can I wait?’ ‘Well…’ said she with a smile. ‘We’re not open yet and I’m just about to start spraying these tables! And you wouldn’t want to get caught in that now would you?”
So I left.
I was reminded by this that, in any business, one of the greatest indicators of likely success or failure is very often not about the business itself. It’s about how what you do, or what you don’t do, makes me feel. Because even when you don’t think you’re brand building – you are.