Food for Online Fanatics

This is something very interesting...... have you ever wondered why isn't there any restaurant who allows people to order food online.

There are many situations which we come across on day to day basis. For e.g. The other day i was dying of hunger as i had not got my tiffin.
Problem 1: And as there was too much of work load in office i was not able to go for Fooding (Fooding: Its like going for Shopping).
Problem 2: I looked for some office boy who can get food for me but to my bad luck, the office boy had gone out for some work.
Problem 3: Now the last option for me was to call the restaurant and order it. But you know how it is.......the restaurant from where i wanted to order food was coming engage constantly and frankly was also too lazy to try the number agagin and again or try some other restaurant number.

Thus this situation triggered a thought in my master mind.......why cant there be restaturants who take orders online as well. I was wondering and pushed my brain cells to figure out why it has not been implemented in India (have no idea if this concept is there internationally) or if implemented by any one than why not so popular. I personally think its a great thing to do and it can actually become the USP of any restaurant chain.

So I hope some marketer in hotel/restaurant business reads this and actions it. It s a free idea from me but the idea is worth a million if one realizes the true value.
People in the house, please comment with your feedback on the same. Thank you.

Consumer Power is back

We have always read in marketing and brand books that consumer is the focal point for any business and communication.

One of the things which I always fascinated and brought a twinkle in my eye.....was when i read one super sonic statement called "Consumer is King". I am sure everyone must have heard, said and read somewhere and at some point in time.

But the irony of this golden saying, is more often an illusion than a fact. How many times during your shopping, were you made to experience and feel that you are the King.......of course not in the real sense but in terms of service, experience, after sales service, customized solutions, negotiating power and many other aspects of shopping. I must have enjoyed the experience of such Consumer power very rarely and I am also sure that the same holds true to most of you'll.

But now.........................For quite a few times rather on all shopping occasions I have witnessed and was made to experience that - Consumer is King / I am the King. Some of the examples are during my purchase of a Personal Car, Purchase of Mobile phone, Purchase of Apparels, Purchase of Day to Day groceries etc.... The experience I had was amazing. To give you one example....The other day I was shopping for some household grocery at reliance fresh in town.

After stocking almost all the products which i wanted in the trolley, I went to the vegetable counter and was looking out for tomato's but to my luck, the salesman told that stock was over and fresh stock you will be able to get it tomorrow when the vehicle comes. The vehicle for vegetables comes twice a day at the store. Once in morning and once in the evening. I was obviously shopping in the evening. Anyways... So I said ok than maybe will come tomorrow and shop for the same, but to my suprise the manager of the store came and said "Dont worry Sir, we can arrange for the tomato's a from local vegetable seller outside if it is urgent for you and if it is ok with you. It will save your time and in the mean time you can continue your shoppinng for other goods or incase you are done with the shopping than can sit and wait in the shop. (As it was airconditioned i believe) . I was compltely taken by suprise and will never forget this special treatment given to me. And they finally brought from outside and gave me 2kgs of tomato's.

The service levels have certainly gone up be it in the real estate business where the builders are ready to negotiate and tying to provide all the amenities which other wise many a times was only in the brochure. They dont say fixed rate and ask you to leave if you are not ready to pay a particular price. They consider your price and try to negotiate. The same story is prevalent when you are out there for shopping.

I am so happy to see this trend. This was never witnessed when the market was in Boom, when the sellers/suppliers never used to bother much about the consumer. It was like supplier power. But now with the change in wind, recession everywhere, the Consumer is back in action and truely the theroy of "CONSUMER IS KING" can be seen in a realistic manner.
I believe this is one of the good things that has happend because of recession, but i hope once the market stablizes and when things get back on track the golden principle stating "Consumer is King" continues to follow in reality and not just in papers and books.
However let me also tell....... It's not that the golden principle was not followed by companies before. It was definately followed and implemented by several companies and are doing a fantastic job till date. But now it has been taken to a different level due to market conditions.(I beleive)

Do notice this when you are out for shopping and please share your experience...............