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Monday, Oct. 5, 2009
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Learning From Starbucks?
Myles Dannhausen Jr.
I don't like Starbucks. As far as mega-corporations go, they're actually relatively palatable, but I don't like the coffee and will go out of my way not to buy it (which sent me on a fruitless hunt in New York a couple years ago, when I was determined to find an independent coffee shop - I didn't drive 20 hours to go to the same place I could visit on Oneida Street - and journeyed for miles only to come up empty. I did walk past about a dozen Starbucks, however, and I'm not exaggerating).
That said, I caught an interview with Temple University professor Bryant Simon last week. Simon has written, "Everything but the Coffee: Learning About America From Starbucks," and in the interview on NPR's Radio Times he provides insight into how the business was built, its use of product placement and branding, and most interestingly, how they train employees to make connections with customers to give a huge international corporation a local feel.
The last point, discussed with about seven minutes left in the interview, is of note for our own local businesses. We overlook the value of training our staff to be friendly, to make the personal connection. When I think back to my own days running a restaurant, that's the number one thing that I'd go back and try to do better. I'd educate my staff to give customers the best answers, to teach them about the county, other businesses and points of interest, and what there is to do outside my own businesses doors. That's what brings people back, as much or even more than the product.
Link to the interview
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Today's Weather
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10-Day Forecast
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Pulsepicks.com
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We've Moved!
The web address for our daily PDF download of events has changed. For those who have gone to pulsepicks.com to download the PDF each day, you can now go to today.pulsepicks.com to do so. Pulsepicks.com is now home to information about this service, including advertising, contact, and background information, as well as archived editions of our Pulse Picks. |
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Two-way Decision Tuesday
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The Sturgeon Bay City Council will make a decision on whether to keep 3rd Ave. a two-way street Tuesday night.
The Sturgeon Bay Parking
and Traffic Committee recommended that the city delay a decision on a permanent
switch to two-way streets on Third Avenue until the fall of 2010.
Read Paige Funkhouser's report at ppulse.com.
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History of Door County Parks
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They're often overshadowed by the county's five state parks, but the Door County Parks Department oversees some gems itself. Some of the peninsula's best vistas and historical sites are part of the county park system.
Learn more Wednesday at an informational program sponsored by Baylake Bank Premier Club and the YMCA. The "History of Door County Parks" will be held at the Door County YMCA, 1900 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay on Oct. 7, 9:45 - 10:45 am.
George Pinney, Door County Parks Director, will be taking you on a county-wide Power Point tour of all county parks and a bit of history behind each.
To register for this free Premier Club program, call the YMCA at 920.743.4949 or Barb Malzahn at Baylake Bank Conference Center at 920.743.5551 ext. 1136. Refreshments will be served and door prizes given away.
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Coming Up
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Monday: The Jacksonport Parks Committee meets tonight and will review an alternative plan for Schauer Park and the development of a five-year parks and playground plan.
Tuesday: Sturgeon Bay City Council will discuss two-way streets.
Wednesday: Gibraltar Town Board considers variance request from Robert Pullman, who is looking to buy the C&C and remodel the building.
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Door Lens
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Mantis
Photo by Roy Lukes
Roy Lukes tells the story of the "Earthly ET," the Praying Mantis in the latest Door to Nature.
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Power Outage Planned for Wednesday
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Wisconsin Public Service has planned a power outage for Wednesday in the towns of Egg harbor and Jacksonport between 10am and noon.
Service will be interrupted in the area north of Cty I, east of Division Road, south of Fairview Road, and west of Cty A. The outage is needed to perform upgrades to the electrical system and facilities must be de-energized to do the work. Call 1.800.450.7260 for more information.
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Coats for Kids
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October is "Coats for Kids" time at Feed My
People/Clothe My People. Anyone wishing to donate a new or gently used
coat should drop it off at Tip-Top Cleaners or DeJardin Cleaners in
Sturgeon Bay or at the Feed My People/Clothe My People facility at 204
N 14th Avenue. Coats will be available Oct. 12 - 23. Please bring
verification of Door County residence with you when you bring in your
child to select a coat.
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