Reverse-Cafe-By-TNI-Designs

Differentiation – Now defined

Differentiation is the process of distinguishing a product or entire offering from others, making it more attractive to a particular target market. This involves differentiating it from competitors’ products and standing out on the competitive landscape through unique positioning.

In the business world, differentiation is the key to success. It’s the process of making your product or offering stand out from the rest, appealing to a specific target market. By highlighting the unique aspects of your product and distinguishing it from competitors, you gain a competitive edge.

Differentiation can be achieved in two forms: Duplicate and Exclusive.

Duplicate Differentiation involves highlighting features that may be available elsewhere, but executed exceptionally well. For example, a restaurant that prides itself on first-class service is differentiating itself, but the significance of this differentiation may be limited if competitors also offer good service. However, when multiple points of difference are combined, like fresh and fast food at a competitive price with friendly service and engaging surroundings, it creates a powerful unique selling proposition.

On the other hand, Exclusive Differentiation sets your product apart by offering features that are truly unique in the market. This can be a patented technology, innovative design, or unique recipes. When executed well, this type of differentiation can lead to extraordinary success.

However, it’s important not to overlook Duplicate Differentiation even when Exclusive Differentiation has been achieved. Brands like Dyson have demonstrated that paying attention to all aspects of differentiation, including design in addition to patented technology, can maintain and enhance their competitive advantage.

In the restaurant industry, Exclusive Differentiation can be seen in unique recipes, food presentation, and environmental design. Service also plays a crucial role, with modern dining trends offering new opportunities for innovation and differentiation.

By understanding and leveraging the power of differentiation, businesses can truly stand out from the competition and attract their target market.

Customers today hold the key to businesses’ success or failure. Even before interacting with employees, a customer’s opinion of a restaurant can be swayed by a confusing website. It’s all about their Zone Of Possible Approval (ZOPA), which determines their emotional rating when making purchasing decisions. Small details like lukewarm food or overly frothy coffee can be deal breakers. But, with the right touches of duplicity and exclusivity, businesses can skyrocket their ZOPA ratings. Imagine giving a customer flowers on their birthday without any prior knowledge – that’s what makes a lasting impression.

In the competitive landscape of our globalized world, differentiation is the key to survival. The ability to stand out from the crowd, both through duplicating successful tactics and offering exclusive experiences, will determine who thrives and who fails.

At The Next Idea Group, we understand the importance of differentiation in staying ahead in the market. By identifying and creating trends, we give our clients the edge they need to outshine their competitors. So, join us in embracing differentiation and securing a special place in your customers’ hearts.

Author: Robert Ancill

robert@thenextidea.net

Home Designs For Life: Remodeling Ideas To Increase Safety, Function, And Accessibility In The Home

Home Designs For Life: Remodeling Ideas To Increase Safety, Function, And Accessibility In The Home

Designing the Future of Dining: Crafting Age-Friendly Restaurants with Renowned Designer Robert Ancill

Robert Ancill has always had a passion for creativity and design which led him to the restaurant industry where he created and designed restaurant and food retail concepts.

In 2006, Robert founded TNI Design, a high-energy innovative international design agency that provides modern and contemporary design solutions. Based in Los Angeles, TNI Design and its mother Group, The Next Idea has worked or consulted with clients in over 24 countries.

Robert sits on several companies and NGO Board of Directors and is regularly quoted in the media on global restaurant and food trends.

Robots in Restaurants: A Cost-Saving Revolution or Job Stealing End to Hospitality?

The future of automation technologies will play a significant role in restaurant automation strategy. However, the Jury is out on the emergence of robots in restaurants. Some individuals view them as a threat to jobs and the ever so important human element of hospitality, while others see them as a cost-saving revolution that will alleviate the ever-acute staffing crises. Whatever the public opinion, reality dictates that robots are, more and more, taking over certain restaurant tasks and systems, and directly impacting the restaurant experience..

Several factors, including rising labor costs, a labor shortage, expensive rents, and employee turnover, have led restaurateurs to look at automating repetitive tasks, actively reduce labor deployment requirements, and ultimately increase profitability. Robots are, therefore, the most obvious and vociferous next step!

Robots are now found in various types of restaurants; from Royal Caribbean cruise ships, that use robotic bartenders, to Costco pizza-making robots, which have helped keep prices low. Other fast-food chains, such as Chipotle and Picnic, have updated their operations with robotic technology to create tortilla chips or make up to 100 pizzas per hour.

Robots in Restaurants

Presently, robots are more likely to support restaurant staff by carrying out tasks such as chopping ingredients or cleaning. Automation is also being used to improve customers’ experiences when making reservations, placing orders or paying for their meals. Order kiosks in place of cash registers is becoming more and more prevalent.  However, as the future becomes the present, we will begin to see the introduction of human like robotic servers, bartenders, hosts and even valet attendants, consequently robots are only in their infancy and will evolve quickly over the foreseeable future.

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The Future of Restaurant Design

The Future of Restaurant Design

Robots are coming to a restaurant near you! How the hell do we design for that?! Turns out there are quite a few things you may not know about restaurant and hospitality design. Today’s guest, Robert Ancill, shares his insight on interior design and formats for restaurants and hotels, ranging from the psychology of design to robots replacing staff.

Robert Ancill has spent over 25 years in the restaurant industry, designing and overseeing the launch and operations of over 40 new restaurant brands and 500+ restaurant or café openings or remodels. His projects have taken him to 24 countries, where he has worked with clients in a wide range of businesses – from restaurants and hotels to offices and luxury homes. Robert is particularly experienced in franchising and development in international markets. Read More

Sizzler enlists Restaurant Design studio, TNI Design, for new look.

LOS ANGELES, Calif., — Creative restaurant design studio, TNI Design, has been enlisted to redesign Sizzler locations around the country.

TNI, an acronym for The Next Idea, has completed their pilot design for Sizzler’s Corona, California location. It serves as the new remodel other locations will undergo over the next few years.

“In partnership with Sizzler we created Sizzler’s new interior design and now we are applying the design to around 60 locations over two years,” Robert Ancill, CEO and creative officer at TNI Design said. Several are currently “in design” phases now.

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Proteins ride the roller coaster

Cost volatility and plant-based alternatives reshape restaurant

The protein category has been, well, put through the meat grinder for the last three years.

From fire sales of steak and seafood inventory at the start of the pandemic to soaring demand for chicken wings that fueled shortages and a surge in costs to the ups and downs of beef prices, operators have struggled to manage their protein-based menu items. On top of these challenges, the pandemic also coincided with the rapid expansion of plant-based alternatives, a trend that may or may not have staying power.

The tumultuous protein commodities environment hasn’t prevented operators from continuing to innovate with protein dishes, however.
Operators also remain committed to plant-based alternatives as that category continues to evolve. “I actually got more innovative through the pandemic because you had to,” said Chad Rosenthal, chef/owner of The Lucky Well barbecue restaurants in the Philadelphia area and the founder of a pandemic-born concept called Motel Fried Chicken, which he is transitioning to a 100% plant based concept.
Amid supply shortages and rising prices, Rosenthal said he had to take beef brisket off of his Lucky Well barbecue menu for a total of about a year.

He continued to innovate with pop-ups featuring lower-cost proteins that had dependable supply, which was how the original Motel Fried Chicken concept was born. Read More

Restaurant Interior Design Sustainability Trends 2023

This is the year that sustainability and social consciousness in new restaurant design and construction will engage the industry. With an increased awareness of their impact on the environment, customers are actively looking for restaurants that demonstrate sustainable solutions to global issues more than ever before.

Restaurants and cafes will begin to advertise at scale how they are actively reducing their environmental footprint through their use of sustainable building materials and deployment of alternative power. The restaurant industry has never been more vibrant and forward-thinking as it will be in 2023.

We have identified some key trends that are really pushing the boundaries of sustainable creativity when it comes to new and upgraded designs. The following are the top ten sustainable trends we have identified in 2023. Read More

LEDs or Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs

Restaurant Interior Design Sustainability Trends 2023

2023 is the year that sustainability and social consciousness in new restaurant design and construction will engage the industry. With an increased awareness of their impact on the environment, customers are actively looking for restaurants that demonstrate sustainable solutions to global issues more than ever before. Restaurants and cafes will begin to advertise at scale how they are actively reducing their environmental footprint through their use of sustainable building materials and deployment of alternative power. The restaurant industry has never been more vibrant and forward-thinking as it will be in 2023. We have identified some key trends that are really pushing the boundaries of sustainable creativity when it comes to new and upgraded designs. The following are the top ten sustainable trends we have identified in 2023.

1.LEDs or Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs

While LEDs are not new, they facing increasing demand. Lighting styles are integral when it comes to pushing the limits of what a restaurant experience can be, ranging from theatre lighting to moody dark spaces perfect for intimate dinners. Consumers are becoming more aware of accessibility, color schematics, environmentally friendly materials and unique welcoming designs where all restaurants become worth entertaining guests!

LED and CFL bulbs use less energy than traditional lightbulbs, thus represent an obvious choice for reducing energy waste. When it comes to efficiency, CFLs use about one fourth the amount of energy of a regular bulb but last 10 times longer. In comparison, LEDs require about the same amount of energy as CFL’s yet shine brighter over the course of up to 25 times longer.

Finding bulbs in different colors and shapes to coordinate with restaurant decor is not a challenge; LED and CFL models come in many sizes and styles and are available at many specialist vendors as well as mainstream wholesalers/retailers such as Ferguson Home Depot.

Sustainable value:Reduced power use

Reduced manufactured material & energy cost

Reduced replacement cost

 

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Updating Your Home to Support Relaxation and Remote Work

Updating your home to make it more relaxing while ensuring it’s still a good place for remote work seems challenging initially. That’s especially true if you tend to have an always-on mentality when your workplace is only a few steps away.

However, it’s possible to make your home both a haven and a productive workplace with the right approach. Here are some updates that support relaxation and remote work, courtesy of Robert Ancill at TNI Design.

Create an Inspiring Home Office

Having a distinct work area in your home helps you limit distractions and keep your work organized while maintaining a better work-life balance. Since that’s the case, redecorating a space and turning it into an inspiring home office is a wise move – and it might even be tax deductible!

One easy way to begin is with paint. Specific colors have productivity-boosting benefits, so choose one that creates the right feel in the space. Whether you paint the whole room or focus on a single accent wall is up to you. As long as the hue is visible, it can help.

When it comes to office furniture, make ergonomics a priority so that you remain comfortable and reduce your odds of certain injuries. Invest in desktop and drawer organizers, too, making it easier to keep everything in its proper place. Get a low-maintenance plant to add some life and freshness, and add a family photo to help you make ethical decisions.

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