Interviewees:
Owner of a small restaurant in Gainesville, FL
In this
interview, we really focused on the problem at hand, the fact that they had to
buy all new paper straws and get rid of their plastic ones. They described how
it was very hard for them to start this new investment because they had such a
deep supply of plastic straws, which really hurt their monthly budget. This
owner described how price was the biggest thing they had to focus on, simply
because they could not afford to purchase the “higher end” paper straws, they
purchase just the cheapest, easiest available product for them. They described
how they buy through a supplier that also supplies them with napkins, paper
towels, and other such products. In reference to post-purchase evaluation, they
said how they did not like the paper straws they give to their customers, yet
they feel like they have no other choice due to the plastic straw ban.
Employee at Chick-Fil-A on Archer
They describe how they changed their straws due to the ban, but
get theirs through a supplier they have a contract with. Their straws are
wrapped in paper wrappings that also say “Chick-Fil-A” on them, making them
special and unique to their restaurant. While they know that customers are
unhappy, they do not really have a choice due to the ban, along with their
supplying contract. They did mention, however, that their goal is to make
customers happy and they would definitely be open to an alternative if that
promised a happier, more satisfied customer.
Owner of successful coffee shop in Gainesville, FL
In this interview I learned how they have been looking for an
alternative solution, exactly what I am trying to produce and sell. They
mentioned that they buy their straws in bulk and through various companies,
having so real ties to any specific company. In fact, they mentioned how they
have used various people/ companies for the straws and have not found one they
are happy with. They mentioned that their goal is to give their customers a
happy and positive experience and have been mad about the ban because they feel
like it handcuffs them and does not allow them to give their customers the
product they want to. They also described how on their post-purchase evaluation
they have just been left unhappy with each paper straw company they purchase
from. Their biggest complaint is how soft the straws get, regardless of what
company they purchases from.
After these interviews I have learned to change who I need
to pitch two. First, I would pitch to the small businesses that buy local and
do not get their products from suppliers. I would need to make relationships
with them and feel like that would be really beneficial for them and myself as
well. After that, I would go and discuss the straw issue with local restaurants
in the Gainesville area, along with other places that have a plastic straw ban,
and would get them on my side of the “biodegradable straw” and then pitch my
ideas their suppliers, since that is where their product comes from, rather
than the restaurants buying the straws themselves. I would really focus on the
post-purchase evaluation, which is what I feel like my product focuses on. The
customer experience is the focus on my product, which would definitely have to
deal with my products.
Hey Danielle, I want to start off by stating how organized this post was, making it really easy to read. From looking at the people that you interviewed, it's evident that you wanted to get different perspectives from various backgrounds. I like the part that talks about the post-purchase evaluation since we all know how important that is for companies. Great job on your post! The idea and reasons behind it are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI liked the set up of your post, it is very well organized and easy to understand. Two of the people you interviewed had a huge underlying similarity, but the second person you interviewed was completely different and I feel like it would have been more efficient to pick someone else with that similarity. You did a great job of summarizing your findings in your last paragraph and really helped me realize how important your product is to everyday life.
ReplyDeleteHey Danielle, you did another great job with your blogpost. I really enjoyed reading the part where you shared how the relationships with local employees would be beneficial, because they would be more likely to buy from someone who had a better relationship with them. With local coffee shops, that's something that's very applicable to selling straws. Great job with the blog post!
ReplyDeleteHello Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you going around town to interview people within the business world. I appreciate that you included major chain employees and small business owners. It shows that you truly thought of having a diverse demographic to distinguish the many differences in buyer's behavior. I like how you also determined your demographic through your research as small businesses seem more fit to your opportunity than a major chain.
I enjoyed reading your post because it was very easy to understand and directly to the point. I liked how all three people had the same common goal at the end which was to keep customers satisfied and happy. Everyone gets a drink from restaurants and sometimes the paper straw makes or breaks the customer experience. I liked how you chose different types of restaurants to interview because although they varied in some aspects, they had the same findings overall.
ReplyDelete