Testing Flavors - What do you think?

We know that a lot of organizations would really like to be able offer flavored coffees. We've been relying on the wonderful natural flavor of Tarrazu coffee but WE HEAR YOU and we've done some research.

Of a long list of flavors that we've been offered we are currently sampling the following:
1. Bavarian Chocolate
2. French Vanilla
3. English Caramel
4. Hazelnut Creme
5. Mayan Cacao

I am personally excited about the Mayan Cacao because of the Central America connection and the reference to the Mayans, who I think should get much more praise on the world stage (Have you seen Apocalypto? Think what you will about Mel Gibson, but it definitely a thrill a minute!)

Let us know what you think of the flavors we're sampling or if there is something that we've left out!

From Costa Rica

The company blog has been a little bit quiet for the past few days because we're all in Costa Rica! It's a big company get-together planning strategy, visiting the coffee coops and honey producers, and making plans for expansion with the roaster and employees. One thing we're working on is the addition of flavors for our coffee. That is coming up in the next post.

Motivate Parents with Your Mission - Not a Product!

Recently a woman approached us to do a fundraiser for a pre-school that had suffered a tragic flood. The carpeting, paint, and countless toys and books had to be replaced or redone. It was a truly desperate situation for the pre-school and the families affected.

The woman asked us to look over the flyer that she'd written up to notify people about the fundraiser and the kick-off meeting to start off the sales and we noticed something. She'd given a lot of information about the coffee. She wrote about the great taste, that is was Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified, and that it and our other products like the Coffee Flower Honey were great gift ideas. But, she missed something huge. The flood.

Our client missed the most important part of her fundraiser and the element that bonded the entire pre-school community - the reason for having the fundraiser in the first place: the pre-school needed help. The parents were all affected by the flood and they felt a sense of community spirit in being part of the effort to restore it. This is the message that should be communicated to the people you are counting on to help do the work in a fundraiser. The point of connection and the feeling of shared responsibility was the school - the coffee was merely a tool to help the school back on its feet.

So, when attempting to generate support for your fundraiser, don't forget the reason why people will become participants - it's not the coffee, it's the thing that affects their lives; the common cause that you share with your community be it church, team, troop, or, of course, pre-school.

Sales Tactics - Profit Now or Later*

Different organizations have different needs - quick profits or less administration, no pre-payment or no pre-sales. You have to consider the strengths of your own organization when thinking about these issues.

The vast majority of our customers sell coffee, honey and plants through pre-sales and then order the products from us at the same time they get their own cut of the profits. It is a great option for organizations that don't have the cash to purchase products up-front.

However, many customers choose to purchase products up-front and then offer them at large events or outside of a shop for direct purchase by customers. This can be very compelling for some customers who like to see and touch the product they are buying. It also cuts down on the administration necessary for the fundraiser since there is no money collection or distribution of products to participants before ultimate distribution to the customer.

So, pre-sales or pre-payment? One way or the other the option is open. You have to choose the one that is best for your organization.

Coffee & Girl Scout Cookies - What a Treat!

I love girl scout cookies. I was walking out of the supermarket this weekend and saw a couple girl scouts at a table stacked with delicious cookies.

"Would you like some girl scout cookies?"

I wanted to say "5 boxes of Thin Mints to last me through the week - but no more!" But, I held my ground, smiled, and saved myself some grief on the scale.

The thing that almost had me running back, though, was that the cookies are a real treat. I love to get them and since they are only available sporadically it adds to the appeal (and perhaps to the tendency of people to hoard boxes).

That made me think about the ability to increase the appeal of gourmet coffee, or any product that you might be selling, by positioning it as a treat. It works for cookie dough, kettle corn, and, of course, Girl Scout Cookies. I think it could also work very well for Gourmet Costa Rican coffee!

You can offer customers a real TREAT - the rich taste of one of the world's finest coffees - Tarrazu. Most Tarrazu beans are used in blends of other coffees to cover the taste of low quality beans. But with our beans you can have the full taste that is so rare.

Another treat? Coffee Flower Honey! See them both at www.CAFECOSA.com!