The ability to differentiate your business from your competition is directly proportional to the success of your business.
Strategically planning out a thoughtful differentiation, both offensively and defensively, was a common subject heard by food service professionals attending the 2012 Chain Operators Exchange, or COEX, last week. This can be done through a number of avenues. Leadership, convenience, service, marketing, and operational efficiencies are all realistic possibilities for businesses.
Copyright 2011 Pintrest
One way many restaurants have been attempting to differentiate themselves has been brought on the the recent success of Pintrest. A recent nrn.com article highlighted that the restaurant industry can use Pintrest, which is all about the pictures, to give restaurant users a “wide latitude in communicating menus and philosophies.” Ideas that were highlighted in the article included posting pictures of your restaurant’s food, pinning complementary industries photos. However, further discussions included getting engaged with those liking what you are putting up. This is where the value for social media can be realized. By providing followers useful information, recipes similar to that which you sell, and commenting on followers post and pics, you become engaged with the customers that are already interested in you on a completely different level.
What are some ways that you differentiate your business from your competition?
–J. Nolfo helps companies understand their market and customers though a variety of market research strategies. He has over ten years of experience of market research for strategic planning purposes. He is the Director of Research at Rhino Market Research. He shares his thoughts about market research and business concepts with his blog “Pensare…Understanding Market Research in Business“. If you would like to discuss this blog or how J. can help you understand your market and customer needs, email him at jnolfo@rhinomarketresearch.com.