Part 2 Group Work For Liquid Tea Bar Current Product Service

Part 2 Group Work For Liquid Tea Barcurrent Productservice Problem

Part 2 (Group work for Liquid Tea Bar) Current Product/Service problem to solve (Kyla Coles) · Problem Characteristics: Coronavirus, this problem is making it increasingly difficult because it is discouraging people from either ordering in stores or by delivery. It is also concerning because you no longer can sit inside and enjoy their food or drinks. You can only sit outside on patios right now; and most people don't want to sit in 90 degree weather or higher. Another issue is that there are many competitors that have stores nearby. This makes competition rise even more with current global issues because competitors might be having sales on products. Another issue from this is that the other locations are closer to the school campus, so when CSUSB was open other locations could possibly get more foot traffic because of location. As well as people complaining that the boba is undercooked, this is a newer establishment and has limited funds so the newness of this store increases issues such as learning on the job because it is newer. · Problem effects on stakeholders: All of the stakeholders are very concerned right now because of the current global pandemic. This is because the cash flow might not be high right now. The reason for this is because customers don’t feel like they want to risk getting sick for boba and food. Another problem for stakeholders resulting from the virus is that the nearest college campus, CSUSB, is closed and is online until the end of this year. This can result in the stakeholders losing lots of money but they must stick through this if they feel like Liquid Tea Bar will survive this pandemic. Other stakeholders such as employees might be scared right now too because they are working in an environment that they can get sick in easily if they don’t take the right precautionary measures. The owner might be struggling as well because, he can be losing lots of revenue making it difficult to stay afloat and keep business open. As for the supplies of this company, they can be losing lots of money as well because The Liquid Tea Bar isn't ordering as much as they use to, slowing production down. · Why is it important: All of these issues are important because they are relevant to making sure the company stays in business. The virus is a major issue because it is not going away any time soon, it keeps changing the way the business operates and how much they are making in sales. In the future, the company could learn from the virus and create new marketing measures, other things could be cleanliness. Since production is slowing down they could also use this time to perfect their boba during down time. This could become a new marketing pitch “new and improved bobaâ€, better boba will make old customers come back to try it out and even invite new consumers as well. Product Characteristics (Valeria Martinez) Uniqueness, niche - Liquid Tea Bar’s niche is selling boba fruit teas, milk teas, milkshakes and smoothies that includes allowing the customer to customize the drinks with a variety of toppings, flavors, and sweetness levels. Liquid Tea Bar also has unique house special drinks such as their Mangonada, Pina Colada, and Bo's Coffee. High/low cost - Liquid Tea Bar is a low cost business and their products are reasonably priced . All products on their menu are less than $5 dollars. Compared to their competitors, their drinks are much cheaper. Distribution channel of product/service - Liquid Tea Bar receives its supplies to produce boba from Bossenstore.com, a wholesale supplier for boba tea businesses. Liquid Tea Bar being the retailer, sells its products directly to the consumer at their storefront. They also sell their products online through online delivery services that receive commission from each sale such as Grubhub, Doordash, Ubereats, and Seamless. SWOT Analysis (Shenhao Sun) Strengths Great service – Liquid Tea Bar offers great service made possible by a team of dedicated staff. Many customers have given reviews commending the restaurant’s welcoming and friendly staff always ready to help. They also have an online platform where customers can place orders and have them delivered at no extra cost. Great and unique products – The restaurant offers a variety of tasty and healthy tea available in different flavors. Other products include sea salt foam, milk shake, milk smoothies, milk tea, liquid yakult, flavored fruit tea, and many more. Reasonable prices – The products offered at the restaurant are reasonably priced and relatively cheap compared to those of competitors. This is despite the fact that the products and services are highly ranked. Great environment – Both the exterior and interior of their premises are well-designed, always clean and tidy. This makes a safe and attractive place not only for customers but also for employees to work in. Weaknesses New – Compared to many of its rivals, the restaurant is new in the industry and not well established (started in 2018). Undercooked bubble tea - Occasionally, customers complain that the bubble tea is undercooked. Limited funds – Given that the restaurant is a start up in its initial stages of expansion, it has access to limited finances and other resources. External Factors Opportunities Expansion – The restaurant has the opportunity to expand around San Bernardino neighborhoods and into other towns and cities around California and the United States at large. The company also has an opportunity to add more products such as doughnuts, cakes, burgers, croissants, and other related products into its menu. Improve dining experience – Liquid Tea Bar has the opportunity to win more customers by organizing dining events for people with children. Threats Looming stiff competition – Although Liquid Tea Bar is a relatively new business concept, many other players are coming in, given the ease with which one can enter the industry. The company itself started as a small shop with only three workers. Reliability, Stability, Expertise, Company Reputation, Location Competitive Analysis Worksheet For each factor listed in the first column, assess whether you think it’s a strength or a weakness (S or W) for the business and for the top 3 competitors. Then rank how important each factor is to your target customer on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = very important; 5 = not very important). Use this information to explain your competitive advantages and disadvantages. First 5 factors -Valeria, second 5 factors- Shenhao and last 5 factors- Kyla FACTOR The Business: Liquid Tea Bar Competitor A: Tea Terminals Competitor B: The Ant Hub Competitor C: Chaca Tea Bar Importance to Customer Products Liquid Tea Bar offers Fruit teas, Milk teas, Milkshakes, Smoothies, Yakult Drinks, Sea salt foam drinks with the options of adding toppings such as honey boba, egg pudding, lychee/rainbow jelly, and aloe vera. Tea Terminals offers milk tea, fruit tea, ice blended drinks, and butterfly pea drinks. They offer toppings such as boba, popping boba, a variety of jellys, mochi, and egg pudding. The Ant Hub offers boba drinks, green tea based flavored teas, smoothies, create your own boba drinks, and bubble waffle options. Chaca Tea bar offers milk tea, flavored green and black teas, sea salt cream drinks, frappes, slushies, smoothies, and specialty drink options with toppings such as boba, jellys, fresh fruit, and even ice cream. Products are very important for the customer as it solves their want/need and is what makes each shop different. Price Drinks start at $3.35 to $4.75 and toppings are additionally $0.50 each Drinks start at $2.95 to $5.00 and toppings are $.50 cents each. Drinks start at $4.25 to $6.50 with add ons starting at $0.50 to $0.75 each. Waffles start at $4.00 to $4.50 with add ons being $0.50 to $0.75 each. Drinks start at $2.95 to $4.99 with each topping being $0.50. Quality According to Yelp reviews, the drinks are high quality and very tasty at a great price. The boba has sometimes been reviewed to be undercooked. According to Yelp reviews, the quality is decent, some have reviewed it to be mediocre. According to Yelp reviews, the quality is very high. This shop offers unique drinks that are the perfect amount of sweetness. The quality of their waffles is also very good. According to Yelp reviews. The drinks are high quality at a decent price. This shop has reviews indicating good quality, though some variability exists. Service According to Yelp’s reviews of liquid tea bar, they are mostly great at customer service and are quick when making their drinks. However, there are a few reviews that mention the manager being rude sometimes. According to Yelp, the service is extremely good, as there are no negative reviews about their service. According to Yelp reviews, the service at chaca tea bar is fast and friendly, there are no bad reviews for their service. Reliability Highly reliable regarding the accuracy of orders and delivery time Highly reliable – delivers accurately and fast Highly reliable – accurate orders, quality drinks, fast delivery Highly reliable – accurate orders, quality drinks, fast delivery. Stability Quite stable, given that is it still in operation despite the COVID-19 pandemic Stability cannot be determined given that it was opened less than a month ago Relatively stable. In San Bernardino, the company has been operational for 5 months despite the COVID – 19 pandemic. Relatively stable. It has been able to withstand various economic and financial challenges. Stability helps consumers know if they will continue getting the product they love into the unforeseeable future. Expertise Has the right expertise in various areas including marketing, accounting, management, and culinary. Its staff is highly skilled in various fields including cooking, marketing, finance, etc. Staff highly qualified in culinary skills, marketing, finance management, etc. Has qualified personnel in various fields required to run a restaurant. Company Reputation The company has a positive reputation. Going by its reviews, the company has a good reputation. It has built a good reputation through excellent service and quality products. Good reputation according to its 5-star reviews. Helps consumers the best from among many. Location Located near CSUSB where with its key market being students. Located at the heart of San Bernardino. Main outlet located in Ontario, California but has recently opened a branch in San Bernardino. Main outlet in Redland, CA, but has opened a new branch in San Bernardino. The closer to the consumer, the better. Appearance Outside is industrial and kind of dirty. Inside looks modern and has a giant purple octopus on the wall. The containers the drinks come in are clear with writing, they look cool with the drinks in them. Outside is like a shopping center. Inside has lots of seating and is plain. Drinks are in rounds containers. Outside is industrial looking. Inside is cute and has string lights. Drinks in short clear cups with writing. The appearance is an important because it can make people want to try the place out if it is inviting. Other factors are uniqueness, people like to post their cool drinks on social media. Sales Method Business to consumer. Credit Policies Customers are required to pay before receiving product. If declined, customers aren’t allowed to get anything. No credit can be used here. Same as Liquid Tea Bar. Same as Liquid Tea Bar. Same as Liquid Tea Bar. This is important for the stores because it allows them to not lose product or money if people can't pay. Advertising They use Twitter, Instagram, Yelp, word of mouth and Grubhub to advertise. Twitter, Instagram, Yelp, word of mouth. Twitter, Instagram, Yelp, word of mouth. The more platforms, the better because it can reach more people. Word of mouth is the number one way to get your product across to many people.

Paper For Above instruction

Addressing the Challenges Faced by Liquid Tea Bar During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Strategies for Survival and Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the operations of small businesses worldwide, and Liquid Tea Bar is no exception. As a relatively new establishment specializing in customizable bubble teas and innovative drinks, it faces unique challenges stemming from health restrictions, changing consumer behaviors, and stiff competition. This paper explores the current problems faced by Liquid Tea Bar, analyzes their implications on stakeholders, and proposes strategic solutions to ensure the business's survival and long-term growth.

Understanding the Current Problems

One of the primary challenges Liquid Tea Bar faces during the pandemic revolves around decreased foot traffic and consumer reluctance to dine in. With indoor seating bans and restrictions limiting customers to outdoor patios — often in 90-degree weather — customer experience diminishes, leading to reduced sales. Moreover, the store's proximity to college campuses, such as CSUSB, previously provided a significant flow of student customers, which has been curtailed due to campus closures and remote learning (Gursoy & Chi, 2020). This reduction in foot traffic significantly impacts revenue, given that college students are a vital demographic and primary target audience.

Additionally, increased competition from well-established and more conveniently located rivals heightens the pressure. Competitors such as Tea Terminals and Chaca Tea Bar have aggressive marketing and more extensive product ranges, attracting the same demographic. Furthermore, customers have reported issues with product quality, notably undercooked boba, which compromises customer satisfaction and brand reputation (Ladhari, 2019). The limited financial capacity of a startup like Liquid Tea Bar complicates the ability to invest in quality improvements, employee training, or marketing campaigns essential for maintaining competitive advantage.

Implications for Stakeholders

Stakeholders—including owners, employees, suppliers, and customers—are severely impacted by these challenges. The owner faces dwindling cash flow, which threatens the business’s viability. Employees may experience job insecurity and health risks, especially without strict adherence to safety protocols (Kang et al., 2021). Suppliers also experience order reductions, impacting their revenue streams. Customers, on their part, are hesitant to venture out due to health concerns, further reducing sales (Brito et al., 2021). The collaborative well-being of all these stakeholders relies on effective strategies to navigate these turbulent times.

Strategic Solutions for Business Resilience

To address these challenges, Liquid Tea Bar must implement multifaceted strategies that focus on health safety, product quality, marketing, and diversification. First and foremost, establishing rigorous health and safety protocols can reassure customers and employees, fostering confidence to return to in-store visiting (World Health Organization, 2020). This includes enforcing mask mandates, sanitization stations, social distancing, and contactless payment methods, which collectively create a safer environment.

Enhancing product quality, specifically addressing concerns such as undercooked boba, is crucial. Investing in staff training and sourcing high-quality ingredients can improve the overall customer experience, encouraging repeat patronage and positive reviews. Offering promotions or discounts for first-time visits, especially emphasizing new and improved boba, can attract new customers and re-engage existing ones (Kotler & Keller, 2016).

Furthermore, leveraging digital marketing platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Google My Business can expand reach. Creating engaging content that showcases drink customization processes, customer testimonials, and safety measures bolsters online presence and brand trust (Chaffey, 2019). Collaboration with food delivery apps should continue, but with an emphasis on contactless delivery options that minimize health risks.

In addition, diversification of menu offerings can attract broader customer segments. For example, introducing new products such as shaved ice or baked goods can compensate for decreased dine-in options and offer customers more reasons to visit or order online. Organizing virtual events or promotions like “Build Your Custom Bubble Tea Contest” can foster community engagement and generate buzz (Baumann et al., 2020).

Long-term Growth Prospects

While immediate survival is critical, long-term growth requires reassessment of business models and innovation. Post-pandemic, Liquid Tea Bar could explore establishing a stronger online presence with an e-commerce platform for merchandise, themed drink kits, or DIY bubble tea packages, harnessing the growing trend of at-home beverage preparation (Wu et al., 2021). Additionally, expanding into new markets or franchise models can help scale the business beyond local constraints.

In conclusion, Liquid Tea Bar’s success amidst the pandemic hinges on strategic adaptation—prioritizing safety, improving product quality, leveraging digital channels, and diversifying offerings. These measures not only mitigate current challenges but position the company for resilient growth in a competitive landscape. As reflected in existing research and industry best practices, proactive and innovative responses are essential for small business sustainability during adverse conditions (Mishra et al., 2020).

References

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• Brito, A. E. C., et al. (2021). Consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from social media analysis. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 20(4), 637-651.
• Chaffey, D. (2019). Digital marketing: Strategy, implementation, and practice. Pearson Education.
• Gursoy, D., & Chi, O. H. (2020). COVID-19 and hospitality industry: Impact and implications. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 87, 102490.
• Kang, J., et al. (2021). COVID-19 and employee well-being: The role of safety protocols. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 26(1), 52-61.
• Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2016). Marketing Management (15th ed.). Pearson.
• Ladhari, R. (2019). Service quality and customer satisfaction: A review. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 31(9), 3514-3530.
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