Business Insights

At the café, Barry and Mandy sit down to have a coffee, where he immediately launches into the project he is thinking about.
“I am thinking about promoting reusable coffee cups amongst our customers. There is a community group that is looking at the environmental issues. And what I am concerned about is the disposable coffee cups. Maybe, getting people to use those reusable coffee cups for takeaways. We could do it with our name on it, and we could give a discount if they use them. What do you reckon? I think this will be exciting, it will make the Copacabana Cuppas the best in the world.”
Mandy says, “Ok Barry, I know you are brilliant, and you have great ideas, one thing I have found is that reusable cups are not as good as you think they are.”
Barry is surprised by this, “Where did you get this information? What I have found states that they are good, look at what Starbucks is doing, see” he points to their website. He continues, “Plus we can be part of the responsible cafes and show our Corporate Social Responsibility.”
“Yes, I know” says Mandy, “but perhaps you should have a look at the other side of the argument”, indicating on her iPad to Barry recent stories in The Conversation and on the ABC News.
Barry says “OK, I need to look at both sides, because I need to focus on who are my clients now, but more importantly in the future? What do they want, so that I can match their expectations?”
Task
Barry Manilow has been so pleased with the work you have done on Fairtrade coffee and now has tasked you to write a short evaluation in essay format. The essay should evaluate the two sides of the discussion and then conclude with a clear and well-justified recommendation on whether Barry should adopt reusable coffee cups for his business.
Barry has given you a list of websites, but you know you will need to go beyond this to get the information required. You remember that Barry has said “Just try to keep it short, I don’t have much time to read, about 1000 or so words. Just look at both sides and tell me what will work and why, you know, how it will help Copacabana Cuppas.”