Hard habit to break?
I don’t like porridge, at least that’s what I always thought!
In truth I had never tasted it and at 46 what were the chances of me developing a taste for a new cereal? In particular one that was sticky, stodgy and a little messy to make.
I came down the stairs and as usual a really busy week at work meant that the shopping had been neglected and the cupboards were bare, except for this box of Flahavans porridge that had been given to each of the attendees at the Cork Chamber annual conference.
Ok, desperate times calls for desperate measures so let’s try it – how bad can it be? I crack open the carton and see 10 sachets inside with a handy little measuring cup. I quickly read the instructions, empty the sachet, two measures of milk, 2 minutes in the microwave and stir.
Hmmm ..not as bad as I was expecting but maybe it could have been a little sweeter?
Next morning and due to another hectic day at work and the small matter of final accounts being needed for the tax deadline the shopping had still been neglected – ok, let’s try the porridge again but this time lets add a small dash of maple syrup that I found at the back of the cupboard.
Hmmm..this was quite nice after all, it was easy to make and very warming on a cold and miserable morning.
Next morning – I’m looking forward to my porridge. A new habit was born!
It’s never too late to convert a customer but if you are doing it with samples don’t just give them a taste, give them enough so they can form a new habit.
Flahavans – well done to you!
I’m sure at some point that someone internally put their neck on the line and insisted that full boxes of product be given to participants at conferences instead of single sachets because they understood that’s what is needed to change habits.
Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion
Tags: Direct Marketing, Flahavans, Fuzion, Fuzion PR, Greg Canty, Marketing, Porridge
Greg Canty Fuzion Blog 
November 1, 2011 at 7:36 am |
I just think that I still wouldn’t have the courage to eat porridge Greg! Then again, hunger is a great sauce 🙂
November 1, 2011 at 9:00 am |
They have these “easy” packs & make sure you add something sweet!!
November 1, 2011 at 11:37 am |
Porridge is great for the cold mornings Greg, a couple of mins in the microwave and hey presto. You should try Fruit and Fibre — anyway, my message is Irish website owners need to cop onto themselves and get their websites adapted to be seen on mobile devices. Google are penalising websites that are not mobilised and most companies (ad agencies!) retailers do not realise it!
November 1, 2011 at 7:07 pm |
Now aren’t you sorry you didn’t listen to your mother – lol
November 2, 2011 at 11:53 pm |
My mother was so right about so many things !!! If only I listened more ..
November 4, 2011 at 6:51 am
Dont you know your mammy is always right , even when she’s wrong !! If you add frozen berries to the porridge they ar equite good as welll.Enjoy.
November 6, 2011 at 1:36 pm
I mus try those berries Jacqui! – thanks for the tip.
November 1, 2011 at 8:14 pm |
Reminds me of the Monkey Banana and Water Spray Experiment:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Did_the_monkey_banana_and_water_spray_experiment_ever_take_place
If you don’t know why you don’t like porridge maybe it’s time to try it again. Situations change.
p.s. I used to eat porridge every day when I was growing up, might give it a go again tomorrow 😉
November 2, 2011 at 8:04 am |
That’s for that link Eoin, interesting! Enjoy the porridge..
November 9, 2011 at 4:55 pm |
So true Greg….never thought of it that way…..and my equivalent is the little tubes of beauty product given away as samples….never yet converted on a first try!
November 9, 2011 at 6:11 pm |
thanks Jill – it makes you think!
November 18, 2011 at 3:58 pm |
greg- A little bit of cinnamon sprinkled on top and you ahve yourself a fab little winter wonder!
November 19, 2011 at 2:09 am |
Yum, yum ..
November 19, 2011 at 2:11 am |
Something quite poor – I emailed Flahavans a link to the blog. No comment or acknowledgement .. strange