Backpack Coffee Dispenser

This is brilliant!
I have a couple ideas for version 2.0. I could make a fortune with this device during morning rush hour at high-traffic intersections...

What's Your Starbucks Idea?

I built my brainstorming/beanstorming business around meeting with people in coffee shops. It was just a natural match to create ideas over coffee and conversation.

Starbucks was (and is) one of my favorite locations for this process because of their commitment to the entrepreneurial spirit, so it came as no surprise when I saw a small promotional piece in my local Starbucks to visit a microsite dedicated to collecting ideas on improving the Starbucks experience from their best resource -- their customers.

Kudos and congrats to Starbucks for making this move. It's certain to benefit both the company and the customers.

Wake-up Special

Folgers is offering free samples of its Gourmet Selections coffee by mail. Consumers can sign up to receive a 1.1-ounce package of coffee in one of four flavors Bistro Blend, Crème Brulee, Chocolate and Vanilla Biscotti at wakeupspecial.com. Online marketing and TV spots support the offer.

Well Crafted Cuppa

Creative form and function flow out of this new coffee maker. Shared from the Single-Serve Coffee Blog...

Europe: The WMF 1 Design Object Single Serve Coffee Maker
We're not sure how we missed this single serve coffee maker, but Gizmodo found it recently and it looks pretty amazing. The WMF 1 is a coffee pad/pod-based single-serve coffee machine, which integrates a cup into its minimalist cubic design that's not much bigger than a couple of books. The almost Apple like design can be livened up with your choice of four colors for the lining. After dumping in the water and pressing a button, it only takes a minute to brew your coffee.

Take your cup and fill with water, unscrew the pod holder and insert a coffee pod. Then put a pod in, press the button, and in less than a minute you have a cup of piping hot single serve coffee.

What's interesting is how the WMF 1 is both a single serve coffee maker and a design object. It's meant to look great or we think interesting along with your other design related objects in your design ridden house. We happen to be in that camp, so the WMF actually has us pretty excited. The only thing that doesn't have us excited? You can't use your own cup, but if you do break the WMF cup you can buy a replacement. And one last thing - there's even a video - a must watch and a video game. The WMF 1 is currently available in Austria, Germany, Great Britain, The Nederlands, and Spain.

Via Gizmodo at WMF

The Blog as a Coffee Shop

Ken Yarmosh, a fellow Blog Channel writer over at The Duct Tape Marketing Blog Channel, wrote an interesting post about how your blog is (or should be) a coffee shop.

Coffee Shops are places for relaxed chats and passionate debates. A location to plot your next move or plan your next business venture. It's also an ideal setting for business networking and socializing with friends -- sounds a lot like an effective blog strategy to me.

See what Ken has to say on the subject by clicking here.