It’s happened. The decision made. The people told. The place gotten ready.
It’s official, I am going to live oop North in Lancaster. Oh dear me, or actually “ecky thump ladd!” what an exciting/scary/traumatic/intense/happy/fun adventure to be had… Life has dealt me and the missus a hand to play and put us ‘all in’.
The move is happening because “The Fired Wok – Chinese Takeaway and Delivery” will be my home soon along with my (sort of)brother-in-law because, you see, I am going to be part of a completely different business to what I’m used to. 
It’s a massive change for me and I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of hard work, I remember how knackered my missus used to be when she had her last restaurant but, I think, this might be an opportunity to learn some new skills and I’m convinced that this geek can overcome! There’s a website to design of course, how can a business operate without a website to tell everyone where they are and what they do and how much it costs and where they deliver to and what time they stop?
Can’t wait to do that, I know the place has a domain name but it’s been an empty page for over 5 years. Even a single page with phone number, pdf menu and delivery area map could make a HUGE difference if used properly. I shudder to think how many existing customers have not phoned an order because they lost the menu from last time.
There are some other things where I think a bit of Andy Bailey could help..
- What about a weekly newsletter with special offers just to subscribers?
Now I have the newsletter software from Octeth, I can put that into action as soon as I’m settled and moved in. - What about great customer service from someone that sounds like they want your order?
- What about proper planning of deliveries, combining those that are on the same route?
- What about statistical analysis of produce usage and the 80/20 rule, does it work on food?
and so on and so on..
First, I will have to learn the ‘ropes’ (“Rern the lopes!” heh) about all the preparation and other non-geeky things. I suspect I might be called upon to do some fairly menial tasks in the next few months but, I’ve found that hard work and simple labour is cleansing for the mind and a perfect time to come up with “eureka!” ideas, lawd knows how I despise London and all it’s crime and indifference so I’m actually looking forward to the move!
The new site and plugin for CommentLuv is happening at around the same time but I am confident that I can do them both and this move justice if I just get off my arse for a few minutes and put my nose to the grindstone, I’ve done it plenty of times before so I’m not scared (much!).
Once Fiddyp get’s moved to the new platform on CommentLuv I’ll be chronicling the events and changes as and when they happen. I’ve already got my place figured out for where my cam is going to go. Chinese cookery lessons anyone? 
I’m childishly exciting to hear about this. It amazes me how shoddy the marketing of most takeaway / delivery places are. Good to know a marketing and IT geek is getting involved.
1) They rarely have a positioning or anything that differentiates them. We have a big pile of chinese and indian takeaway menus at home, and other than our personal experience and prejudice at the design style of the leaflet, there’s nothing to choose between them. “Spiciest”, “mildest”, “healthiest”, “cheapest”, “fastest”, “most authentic”, “most likely to feature an unPC cartoon like the one above”, “widest vegetarian selection” are all compelling positions that are left wide open. Why is this?
2) I’d love it if they would “tempt” me via Twitter. “It’s Friday evening, why bother to cook? Tweet your order to us now and the time that you want to eat, and we’ll see to it.” etc.
3) Newsletter. I don’t know. There’d need to be something really special about the place to get me signed up to a NEWSletter. “Special Offer Letter”, for sure. Then follow it up with a bit of news.
4) Why is the quality of proofreading on these menus so bad?
5) When I eat Chinese, I’d love to learn a bit about China. When I eat Indian, I’d love to know a bit about India. And a bit about the story of the restaurant. Most white people have some kind of latent guilt that we don’t have more ethnic friends, I think… ethnic takeaways should exploit that by offering some tokens of interest/friendship and cultural interchange. Stick a cantonese or hindi picture book in the bag with big or repeat orders. People will love it.
6) Don’t give cheap branded wall clocks as a free gift. One of our local Indian take aways did that. I like you guys, but we already have a nicer wall clock.
Fiddy, I suggest you start the first (that I can find) “Takeaway Marketing Blog”. You’ll have a reader right here.
David Barnes´s last blog post..5 Simple Steps to Creativity
wow thanks for the great feedback David!
You make some really good points and I’m happy to say I have either thought of them before or am thinking of them now!
1. I was thinking about making it the “easiest” way to order. atm, they have a gazillion items on the menu and people take an absolute age to choose. After some ingredients and order type analysis, I would love to simplify the menu and present it in a way that makes it easier to order.
2. I made an order by web script for a different restaurant a long time back, could be time to dust it off! I would like to add something to update the customer on the status of their order. I like it when pizza hut online do that.
3. Newsletter would be for “offers this week” or relevant news about the area and promoted to all “walk-in” customers and over the phone. I’m sure I’d sign up to a newsletter if I could get a cheap special fried rice
4. I agree!!
5. That is such a good idea! I told my missus she should include something about where the recipe comes from in the menu or on flyers. I’ll be thinking about this for sure.
6. I think this needs investigating too. I do have an excess stock of ipod speakers and headphones. Maybe a loyalty card thing, get so many main dishes and exchange your points for something for the kids? could wok (I mean work)
Takeaway marketing blog? sounds like an awesome idea, I really like what one of my regular comment authors does with his beauty salon marketing blog.
I’m sure I could make a good niche blog from this idea!! Good timing too, CommentLuv.com will become a multi-user blog platform and just about perfect for this kind of task. Maybe it could become my ‘case study’ blog for a new email course or new PacktPub book
how exciting!
I thought you were joking about moving to Lancaster Andy!
Anyway, give me a shout when you’ve settled in and we’ll have to catch up over a pint!
Tristan´s last blog post..Daily Play Results – 03/02/2009
nah mate, I am definitely going up there now. I think by the beginning of March or maybe even sooner. We’ll definitely have to go out for a drink!
From some of your older posts, it was obvious that you were not very happy in London. So, this must be quite exciting for you. A new career can be challenging as well as rewarding. My best wishes for success in your new venture.
The plans and ideas that you have to combine your business with your tech capability also makes eminent sense. I have no doubts that they will all fall into place.
All the best.
Nicole Price´s last blog post..The Offensive Israeli
thanks Nicole! it’s true, I despise the Londons. I think a bit of fresh air and friendly people wont go amiss
Andy Bailey´s last blog post..The Unwritten Rules of Commenting
Yes..! I love commentluv.
Thank you
Dhini´s last blog post..Jesses girl cosmetics binnen
Good luck to you and the missus! What an exciting new adventure! Sounds like you’ve got some great ideas there. Wonderful to see you all fired up.
Retro Heather´s last blog post..For Mike K (who thinks crocheting is not “hot”)
Don’t forget to get that speech impediment checked on.
Dennis Edell´s last blog post..Free Backlinks: A Traffic Experiment via Commenting & Promotion
Dhini: me too!
Retro Heather: I can’t wait! looking forward to the challenge
Dennis: what sqeech impelliment?
Andy Bailey´s last blog post..The Unwritten Rules of Commenting
Twitter: lottomad
Yo Andy,
You moving to Lancaster blimey, I seem to be here a lot too (at Tristans) its a long drive from Portsmouth but I do seem to be here a lot, so the three of us could have a beer when I next make it up.
Although I kinda quit my job the other day too, so god knows what I am going to do now. Everything changes hey.
Good luck in venture.
DaveT´s last blog post..Daily play lottery Prize breakdown Thursday 05th February 2009 (05/02/2009)
thanks Dave. good luck to you after quitting your job. kinda ballsy!
Andy Bailey´s last blog post..The Unwritten Rules of Commenting
Twitter: lottomad
Or kinda stupid. Ah the dilema I now face
DaveT´s last blog post..EuroMillions lotto numbers friday 6th February 2009 (06/02/2009)
Twitter: lottomad
PS Where in Lancaster is the Take Away may need to pop in
DaveT´s last blog post..Servage.net hosting Stay Away
Good luck on your new adventure. May I ask you why you would want enable comment luv plugin? Most webmasters/bloggers see it as more of a hassle or at least that’s what I’ve been reading.
Dave: I have been there before but I can’t remember the area it’s in. all I can remember is Lancaster , my tomtom knows but it’s in the car!
Peter: thanks. I want to enable commentluv because I wrote it and it works well for encouraging and rewarding comments. you say “most webmasters” which is not what i see. would you care to point out 1 or 2 of these “most webmasters” or where you have been reading to get this? I get google alerts for the mention of the word commentluv and so far I haven’t seen any articles at all saying what you have mentioned.
if you could point me to some then I could check them out and maybe use the information to improve it.
Andy Bailey´s last blog post..Sarcastic Mom – Featured Site
That’s nice to know,i like your post.i really appreciated it, much..being fashion ate I’m more focusing on blogs like what u did. Also mens fashion. Good luck to your blog. I’m going to visit it always.
garlandweathers´s last blog post..Cufflinks
Danke Shön.
Hi,
Good stuff.
I enjoyed your post.
Thanks for sharing.