Baliblog mentioned by internet travel guru Sean Keener

Baliblog got a mention today, on the personal website of internet travel guru, Sean Keener. Sean has been instrumental in developing travel websites and online communties, as well as a soccer website.

Baliblog has been online since 2002, that’s a decade in internet time. We have tried various mechanisms (as well as laptops) and could probably write a ‘How To’ on moving to a foreign country and starting a website. Sean’s blog is packed with interesting comments and links. I especially like the one about how Starbucks handles customers. Why should I care about how Starbucks does things? They do business on a massive scale, and always make money. The article on Sean’s site, talks about Starbucks asynchronous approach to cusotmer service. Basically, they put ‘aces in their places’ and let the cashier bang out as many orders as is possible. Here in Bali, Starbucks does that too, its the other 99.9% of Balinese businesses that could do with a tune up.

The other day I was on the beach, and approached a beer stall. Spotting a space on a bench seat, I paid for the beer, while the young owner, quickly hustled his 3 local buddies into the space. “Okay Bruda’ he said, ‘have a seat’, there now being nowhere to sit. ‘No worries’ I said, “I’ll just take it with me.’ There’s your local business strategy, work the ‘Hello Boss, hava nuda beer Bruda’, and watch your customer walk off, because your down-and-out mates want to hang out.