Comments on: An Honest Dialogue with a Disappointed Consumer http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/ Tue, 6 Jan 2009 15:22:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Sally http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-603 Sally Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:58:11 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-603 Hi Seth Must have hit the wrong key on this very sensitive laptop with that last send. Anyway, as a label reader and one who surfs the net for truth, pass it along to Coke that many of your customers do as I do. Don't forget what happened to Odwalla a few years back = not the same product that it was. As an educator, I've always tried to get my students to read labels and do some research regarding the ingredients of those things they put into and onto their bodies. With so many of them guzzling liquid candy (love that label) thanks to Coke's (and the other liquid candy makers) marketing, our babies have been duped into thinking that if it tastes good, it must be good. The Coke that I grew up with is not the Coke of today. What makes you think that when they get the option and the larger share of the Honest Tea company, they won't make similar in your product? Have you signed an agreement that prohibits you from making your original product once Coke messes with it? Hoping for the best. Sally Hi Seth
Must have hit the wrong key on this very sensitive laptop with that last send. Anyway, as a label reader and one who surfs the net for truth, pass it along to Coke that many of your customers do as I do. Don’t forget what happened to Odwalla a few years back = not the same product that it was. As an educator, I’ve always tried to get my students to read labels and do some research regarding the ingredients of those things they put into and onto their bodies. With so many of them guzzling liquid candy (love that label) thanks to Coke’s (and the other liquid candy makers) marketing, our babies have been duped into thinking that if it tastes good, it must be good. The Coke that I grew up with is not the Coke of today. What makes you think that when they get the option and the larger share of the Honest Tea company, they won’t make similar in your product? Have you signed an agreement that prohibits you from making your original product once Coke messes with it? Hoping for the best.
Sally

]]> By: cartoon teddy bears http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-580 cartoon teddy bears Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:37:52 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-580 <strong>cartoon teddy bears...</strong> Acai (ah- sigh- ee) is often considered to have the best nutritional value of any fruit on earth, and an antioxidant capacity of 200%- 750% higher than any other fruit or vegetable. Antioxidants are known to boost the immune system and promote healing.... cartoon teddy bears…

Acai (ah- sigh- ee) is often considered to have the best nutritional value of any fruit on earth, and an antioxidant capacity of 200%- 750% higher than any other fruit or vegetable. Antioxidants are known to boost the immune system and promote healing….

]]> By: Martin Lindeskog http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-550 Martin Lindeskog Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:21:47 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-550 I want to purchased your products now when you are involved with a great company as Coca-Cola. Could I get your products in Sweden? I want to visit the Land of Opportunity soon again... Could I get your stuff in New Hampshire (I studied at Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester) and Ohio (I worked in Troy)? Best Premises, Martin Lindeskog - American in Spirit. Gothenburg, Sweden. http://Martin.Lindeskog.name I want to purchased your products now when you are involved with a great company as Coca-Cola. Could I get your products in Sweden? I want to visit the Land of Opportunity soon again… Could I get your stuff in New Hampshire (I studied at Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester) and Ohio (I worked in Troy)?

Best Premises,

Martin Lindeskog - American in Spirit.
Gothenburg, Sweden.
http://Martin.Lindeskog.name

]]> By: Matt Simpson http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-421 Matt Simpson Fri, 16 May 2008 13:46:12 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-421 Seth - I (of anyone) understand your passion to grow the infrastructure of organic & sustainability (social, eco, envn). If Coca Cola has taken the "we will learn from HT" you have already begun the shift of corporate responsibility Julie speaks of. It is amazing to watch the transformation of these large (once not socially focused) global companies chartering their senior leadership with sustainable performance measures. Your model can work (as we know). Also - it is always refreshing your point of contact with consumers. This speaks volumes of your 'Honest-(tea)'. All my best Seth - Matt Seth -
I (of anyone) understand your passion to grow the infrastructure of organic & sustainability (social, eco, envn). If Coca Cola has taken the “we will learn from HT” you have already begun the shift of corporate responsibility Julie speaks of. It is amazing to watch the transformation of these large (once not socially focused) global companies chartering their senior leadership with sustainable performance measures.
Your model can work (as we know). Also - it is always refreshing your point of contact with consumers. This speaks volumes of your ‘Honest-(tea)’.
All my best Seth -
Matt

]]> By: Sam http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-128 Sam Thu, 24 Apr 2008 18:51:04 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-128 OK, I am hoping for the best with the Coke investment, but I have to say that it disturbs me how quickly new labeling that looks much like everything else on the market was rolled out. Your labels used to be unique with very individual artwork for the "T's." Now I see that you have replaced that artwork with generic pictures of lemons or peaches, etc.... -Sam OK, I am hoping for the best with the Coke investment, but I have to say that it disturbs me how quickly new labeling that looks much like everything else on the market was rolled out. Your labels used to be unique with very individual artwork for the “T’s.” Now I see that you have replaced that artwork with generic pictures of lemons or peaches, etc….

-Sam

]]> By: Chris http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-90 Chris Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:17:42 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-90 Seth, I hope that Honest Tea is able to maintain 100% of its "Honest" approach to business. I'm glad that you will be able to open up more channels and improve your distribution, as well. In the end, I hope that Honest Tea will have a positive effect on Coke's practices! Chris Seth,

I hope that Honest Tea is able to maintain 100% of its “Honest” approach to business. I’m glad that you will be able to open up more channels and improve your distribution, as well. In the end, I hope that Honest Tea will have a positive effect on Coke’s practices!

Chris

]]> By: Renee http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-80 Renee Fri, 14 Mar 2008 19:17:04 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-80 <p>I found the arguments on both sides of this debate to be both interesting and valid. However, I have to underscore Julie's question that I don't believe was directly addressed - that being, is partnering with Coca-Cola the only way to accomplish a wider distribution and increased availablility of Honest Tea's wonderful products? I think both sides agree, this is the goal, but are there other options that may be more in line with the "honest" vision and less of a seemingly "quick fix". The gains in distribution are obvious and great, but what about strategic alignment of company vision? I did an intership at Coke awhile back and I know its corporate vision is to "refresh the world," which some might consider a shared vision with Honest Tea, but at what cost to world health? Honest Tea's vision, in my opinion, goes far beyond refreshment.</p> <p>It's surprising because Honest Tea has in so many instances in the past not chosen the easy, most profitable route with it's creative solutions to issues surrounding ingredients and packaging. This decision to partner with Coca-Cola seems on the surface to be an all-too obvious solution to the "problem" of not reaching enough customers and for this reason, it raises questions of whether or not Honest Tea is simply selling out. Personally, I don't believe that to be the case, but I would love to hear some supporting details of why the partnership with Coke was the best option to acheive the goal of wider distribution - not just the easiest, quickest and certainly, most obvious.</p> <p><font color="#008752"><em>Seth Says:<br /> You raise a very legitimate question. When we started the company we assumed that if we created a great product the world would beat a path to our door, but as we discovered, when the product is mostly liquid and heavy and inefficient to ship, having a great product isn't enough -- we needed to find an efficient way (logistically and environmentally) to get our drinks to the shelves. We've been pushing hard on the distribution front for the past ten years -- it has easily been the biggest barrier to our growth. In the beginning we couldn't find any distributors willing to carry Honest Tea, so we did it all ourselves -- it was painful, costly and not that much fun either (dented U-Hauls, broken glass bottles, and lots of parking tickets!). Then, we got our first opportunity with a cheese distributor, then a corned beef distributor, and then a charcoal distributor... whoever was going to a store, we'd welcome the chance to work with them. Finally, we started working with early-stage beverage distributors (some of whom refused to pay us) and finally top-quality independent distributors. But even in our tenth year, we are only able to reach about 15-20% of the US population through our indepdendent beverage distributors. Yes, if we had another ten years, we could increase this perecentage, perhaps to 60%, but as we think about the best use of our efforts over the next ten years, we believe they are much better spent building the brand and mission than continuing to bang our heads against the distribution walls we've encountered. Our partnership with Coke will open up distribution doors that we didn't even dare to dream about when we were hauling cases around in our rented vans. And in many markets, the Coke distributors will provide more reliable and consistent service than our current system -- most of the emails we receive are from customers who are frustrated that they can't find our product.</em></font></p> I found the arguments on both sides of this debate to be both interesting and valid. However, I have to underscore Julie’s question that I don’t believe was directly addressed - that being, is partnering with Coca-Cola the only way to accomplish a wider distribution and increased availablility of Honest Tea’s wonderful products? I think both sides agree, this is the goal, but are there other options that may be more in line with the “honest” vision and less of a seemingly “quick fix”. The gains in distribution are obvious and great, but what about strategic alignment of company vision? I did an intership at Coke awhile back and I know its corporate vision is to “refresh the world,” which some might consider a shared vision with Honest Tea, but at what cost to world health? Honest Tea’s vision, in my opinion, goes far beyond refreshment.

It’s surprising because Honest Tea has in so many instances in the past not chosen the easy, most profitable route with it’s creative solutions to issues surrounding ingredients and packaging. This decision to partner with Coca-Cola seems on the surface to be an all-too obvious solution to the “problem” of not reaching enough customers and for this reason, it raises questions of whether or not Honest Tea is simply selling out. Personally, I don’t believe that to be the case, but I would love to hear some supporting details of why the partnership with Coke was the best option to acheive the goal of wider distribution - not just the easiest, quickest and certainly, most obvious.

Seth Says:
You raise a very legitimate question. When we started the company we assumed that if we created a great product the world would beat a path to our door, but as we discovered, when the product is mostly liquid and heavy and inefficient to ship, having a great product isn’t enough — we needed to find an efficient way (logistically and environmentally) to get our drinks to the shelves. We’ve been pushing hard on the distribution front for the past ten years — it has easily been the biggest barrier to our growth. In the beginning we couldn’t find any distributors willing to carry Honest Tea, so we did it all ourselves — it was painful, costly and not that much fun either (dented U-Hauls, broken glass bottles, and lots of parking tickets!). Then, we got our first opportunity with a cheese distributor, then a corned beef distributor, and then a charcoal distributor… whoever was going to a store, we’d welcome the chance to work with them. Finally, we started working with early-stage beverage distributors (some of whom refused to pay us) and finally top-quality independent distributors. But even in our tenth year, we are only able to reach about 15-20% of the US population through our indepdendent beverage distributors. Yes, if we had another ten years, we could increase this perecentage, perhaps to 60%, but as we think about the best use of our efforts over the next ten years, we believe they are much better spent building the brand and mission than continuing to bang our heads against the distribution walls we’ve encountered. Our partnership with Coke will open up distribution doors that we didn’t even dare to dream about when we were hauling cases around in our rented vans. And in many markets, the Coke distributors will provide more reliable and consistent service than our current system — most of the emails we receive are from customers who are frustrated that they can’t find our product.

]]> By: Heather M. http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-77 Heather M. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:05:53 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-77 It's very refreshing to see how you have publicly addressed the concerns of your consumers. I have similar beliefs as Julie but unlike her I think it's important to continue to support companies like Honest Tea as you "branch out", even if it means supporting companies such as Coca Cola. I am a firm believer that it's easier to make big changes from within than trying to fight "corporate America" from the outside. Congratulations and I sincerely hope that you achieve success in your endeavors. I, for one, will continue to buy honest kids for my children and promote Honest Teas to my family and friends as a company to support. Of course, we will be watching closely that you stick to your "honest" ways:) Take care, Heather It’s very refreshing to see how you have publicly addressed the concerns of your consumers. I have similar beliefs as Julie but unlike her I think it’s important to continue to support companies like Honest Tea as you “branch out”, even if it means supporting companies such as Coca Cola. I am a firm believer that it’s easier to make big changes from within than trying to fight “corporate America” from the outside. Congratulations and I sincerely hope that you achieve success in your endeavors. I, for one, will continue to buy honest kids for my children and promote Honest Teas to my family and friends as a company to support. Of course, we will be watching closely that you stick to your “honest” ways:)

Take care, Heather

]]> By: eric m. http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-66 eric m. Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:37:23 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-66 hey there, found this linked from mark hurst's newsletter... terrific exchange between you and julie. thanks not only for taking the time to address her concerns but (obviously) for publishing it here for us to see. best, Eric hey there, found this linked from mark hurst’s newsletter… terrific exchange between you and julie. thanks not only for taking the time to address her concerns but (obviously) for publishing it here for us to see. best, Eric

]]> By: Tracy Needham http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-59 Tracy Needham Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:42:51 +0000 http://www.honesttea.com/blog/2008/02/25/an-honest-dialogue-with-a-disappointed-consumer/#comment-59 Hey Seth, We never met but are fellow Calvert alums! I've been enjoying your products and admiring your company for years. I'm sorry to see you lose your independence but as I said on my blog, I think it's a good move and that most of Honest Tea's fans will be able to see the bigger picture. (http://compellingmarketingblog.com/2008/02/28/sustainabili-tea/) Tracy Hey Seth,

We never met but are fellow Calvert alums! I’ve been enjoying your products and admiring your company for years. I’m sorry to see you lose your independence but as I said on my blog, I think it’s a good move and that most of Honest Tea’s fans will be able to see the bigger picture. (http://compellingmarketingblog.com/2008/02/28/sustainabili-tea/)

Tracy

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