Blog Archives
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Registrations Come In Strong For OneShow Next Week: Don’t Put It Off!
By Elliot Maras - Wednesday April 21, 2010If you havent made plans to book a room for OneShow next week, dont put it off much longer. Attendee registration is already running 20 percent ahead of last years national show, and according to the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA), registrations are coming in daily. In the last few months, Ive gotten the sense that the industry is re-energizing with new products. Some exciting new manufacturers have gotten into the vending industry. In addition, some established players that have been less active in recent years have developed new products that they are introducing at the OneShow. Exhibitor registration is 20 percent ahead of last years national show, and that number could get higher still, as exhibitors continue to... -
Video Screens Are Popping Up Every Place We Go And Shop: What About Vending?
By Elliot Maras - Wednesday April 14, 2010Dont look now, but youre surrounded by video screens. From the moment you get on the freeway to when you shop in drug stores, supermarkets and mass merchants, video screens of varying size are sending you messages about what to buy, tips on health, and information on a variety of topics. It really hit home a few days ago when I went to my local Walmart. There were video screens on the endcaps of every section in the store flashing images of products and text about product features. We may not like it. There is a Big Brother feel about it. But I cant deny that it made shopping at Walmart easier since I knew at all times where I was in the store; there was no scanning the ceiling for far-away signs. The video screens gave me more... -
2010: Startling Stats about the engagement of YOUR workforce!
By Dave McCaffrey - Monday April 12, 2010Engagement: everyone talks about it, but what does it really mean?Gallup Research says: 29% of a company's workers are engaged (your 'stars'); 54% are disengaged (your 'so-so's') and 17% are ACTIVELY disengaged (your 'passengers).So what? It is estimated the ACTIVELY disengaged employee wastes 2.5 hours per day, EVERY day. At $20 per hour, that person is costing you $50 per day. On an annual basis, they are costing you $11,000, mininum.What if your company is 'average' and 17% of your work force are 'passengers', what is lack of engagement costing you?Are your employees engaged? The results ofa recent survey at a company with 33 employees ("we're small, we've got a handle on our employees; it's the big companies at that are at risk... -
Need A Mascot For Your Coffee Service? Consider The Kopi Luwak
By Elliot Maras - Wednesday April 7, 2010Are you an adventurous, proactive and ambitious refreshment service operator? Enough to offer your customers Kopi Luwak? Say what? If you know what Im talking about, proactive and ambitious dont begin to describe you. Nutty might be the right word. Kopi Luwak, according to my sources, is the most expensive coffee bean in the world, reportedly going for $600 a pound. What makes this coffee so expensive? The bean is eaten, partially digested, and excreted by a rodent-like animal that looks like a monkey and is native to Indonesia. Some customers might think youre getting a bit carried away with your passion for coffee. But is that a bad thing? Coffee is the healthiest segment in refreshment services today. If you arent having fun... -
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Is Badly Needed; Industry Must Stay Focused And Keep Doing Its Part
By Elliot Maras - Wednesday March 31, 2010Slowly but surely, progress is being made against childhood obesity. The First Ladys Lets Move! campaign and the increased funding for school food programs are positive changes, and overall, the food industry has welcomed these initiatives and continues to play a supportive role. Last week, Jamie Olivers Food Revolution debuted on ABC TV. The British celebrity chef has made it a mission to expose children to good food and improve their eating habits, and last weeks premiere TV show drew more than 7 million viewers. The show was engaging and uplifting, as the dynamic Oliver captivated youngsters with the wonders of nutrition. He also coerced administrators, foodservice directors and foodservice employees to go out of their way to assist him... -
Health Care Bill Brings A Host Of Uncertainties; Vending Operators Have Time To Meet Calorie Posting Rule
By Elliot Maras - Wednesday March 24, 2010The ramifications of the new health care bill on the refreshment services industry probably wont be clear for a few years. In the meantime, vending operators should brace themselves for the need to post calorie information at the point of sale. At this writing, we are not sure how calorie information will have to be displayed. The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) is attentively following the rule making process. Health Insurance Costs To Rise The new health care bill will affect refreshment service operators in two major ways: It will further increase operators health insurance costs. This is what happened in Massachusetts, the only state to require everyone to have health insurance and provide... -
In A Struggling Economy, Tax Advocates Bark Up The Wrong Tree
By Elliot Maras - Wednesday March 17, 2010The nations economy continues to struggle. Many businesses are finding it hard to borrow money from banks that would enable them to begin hiring people again. Consumers remain cautious about spending.But tax fever continues to run high among career tax advocates, and soda taxes is their latest bandwagon. These advocates are not concerned about placing new burdens on consumers and businesses at a time when they can least afford them. To tax advocates, theres no such thing as a bad tax.The fact that tax advocates are ramping up their calls for more food and beverage taxes demonstrates how out of touch these individuals are with the concerns of most people.One of the most extreme examples I came across was a guest editorial published last week... -
60% of current employees INTEND to leave their jobs as soon as economy improves*!
By Dave McCaffrey - Thursday March 11, 2010...AND ANOTHER 21% SAY "MAYBE, SO THEY ARE NETWORKING" (CHECKED OUT LINKEDIN LATELY?)By Dave McCaffreyIn late 2009, WorldatWork reported a Right Management survey of more than 904 workers in North America asked: Do you plan to pursue new job opportunities as the economy improves in 2010? The answers are startling:60%Yes, I intend to leave: 21%Maybe, Im networking: 6%Not likely, but Ive updated my resume: 13% No, I will stay.Douglas J. Matthews, president and COO at Right Management. Employees are clearly expressing their pent up frustration with how they have been treated through the downturn. While employers may have taken the necessary steps to streamline operations to remain viable, it appears many employees may have felt neglected in... -
Is The Obama Quarter Real? U.S. Mint Gets Lazy With Our Currency
By Elliot Maras - Wednesday March 10, 2010Politicians are famous for speaking out of both sides of their mouth, but the U.S. Mint and Treasury? Thats a hard pill to swallow.During the Presidents inauguration, the New England Mint, a private mint, took official quarters and layered them with images of Barack Obama. The New England Mint then advertised these coins for sale as limited edition items.A recent NBC TV news story reports that these Obama quarters are still being used by merchants and banks in New York City, despite the fact that the U.S. Mint does not approve them. To view the recent TV report, go to: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Obama-Quarters-Loose-Change-85821077.html After reading this story on the Internet, I sought clarification from the U.S. Mint... -
Who Killed Juan Valdez?
By Elliot Maras - Wednesday March 3, 2010Who killed Juan Valdez? Las Vegas police have a suspect, according to the news media.Whoops! Thats the wrong Juan Valdez.The Juan Valdez that VendingMarketWatch is interested in was never party to a street drug deal like the Juan killed Sunday in Las Vegas. Were concerned about the guy with the mule whose image stands for 100 percent Colombian coffee, the one-time gold coffee standard.Where are you, Senor Valdez? You and your mule got lost in the mountains while Starbucks, Peets, Caribou, Green Mountain, Seattles Best Coffee, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Folgers, Millstone, Maxwell House, and others changed Americas relationship with coffee. One hundred percent Colombian coffee is no longer the mark of excellence it was!Dow Jones News recently...
