Level2wo

Creating Buzz

Everyone wants to be in the headlines. Like the old adage goes, There’s no such thing as bad press. And it seems that right here, in little old Seattle, that’s exactly the case for drive-thru coffee shops with scantily-clad women.

I drove by one today–and left. Not because I was offended in any way, but because the line was long and the customers didn’t seem to be in any hurry. Good for the scantily-clad baristas, but not so good for the driver who just wants to get in and out of the drive-thru with their 16oz Americano.

But for as many coffee lovers out there that don’t mind a little flesh with their Moccacinno, there are plenty of people out there who would prefer that there be more covering the women in those little drive-thru booths.

Without naming names, I did a quick little poll to see what a few people thought. While most of the men I asked didn’t care either way (yes, one or two did enjoy it more than the others), some of the women seemed more concerned about the children who would be exposed to the bikinis, and at one coffee shop, the pasties that covered the baristas’ breasts.

“I understand why they’re doing it…and it makes sense financially. They’re bringing them in. The lines are longer, and people are talking. But I don’t want my son to see a woman’s breasts in his face, pasties or bikini or whatever.”

From a business perspective, it makes sense. It’s capitalism, as another woman pointed out, and women have some assets that will make the money come in more if they use those assets. Right or wrong, it’s all about the bottom line. And the bottom line here is this:

Want to make more money, you must differentiate. Create a buzz. Some people will be positive about what you’re doing, others will be negative. It’s your choice–is the money worth it? For some, the answer is a resounding YES!

Check out the msnbc article on Seattle’s bikini clad baristas.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS