Are you part of our Tribe?

6 comments

• By John Richardson  |  Monday, December 15, 2008 12:41 AM

  Hi
  
  Seth makes it seem a bit easier than it actually is. The key really is the whole Gary Veynerchuk factor. He shows just how hard it is and how much relentless focus on contact and, in his case, daily videos.
  
  I think this video of his encapsulated it most fully for me:
  
  http://garyvaynerchuk.com/2008/09/09/phcc/
  
  In other words a proper tribe takes time and a lot of hard work. But undoubtedly there are huge benefits to be created if you're prepared to dive in.
  
  Cheers
  
  John

  
  
• By Stewart Cranston  |  Monday, December 1, 2008 11:32 PM

  I work at Transcend, so you can take this with a grain of salt....
  
  When you roast a bean until it shows you all it has to offer, and you roast no further, when you serve coffee that is integral to what you feel it should be, then what you do is in fidelity with reality, and ceases to be, frankly, BS. And there is way too much of that stuff out there. So much, in fact, that ordinary people roasting a simple plant seed, and giving straight forward service produces an experience quite out of the ordinary, and winds up with questions about our ontological and sociological being and function.
  
  Let's just keep letting the coffee speak for itself. If the customers have ears to hear, they will.

  
  
• By Dominic  |  Thursday, November 27, 2008 03:49 PM

  Another way to think about it is, tribes with momentum create movements. The Obama tribe would be a good recent example. In that light then the Transcend tribe would actually transcend Transcend. Hmmm we may be onto something here..
  
  As with any political or religious movements it all starts with what do you believe? So the question then becomes what does Trascend believe, what do you stand for, what is your unique point of view in the world? How does your point of view create a ruckus? It's these beliefs that you hold with a certain degree of passion and how do you project them that causes the tribe to have faith. It's their faith or conviction in the beliefs that gets the tribe talking. A final thought, it's better that the tribe discover these beliefs in a way that it adds value back to the tribe. Something to consider next time you are enjoying your next cup of coffee.

  
  
• By Jim  |  Wednesday, November 26, 2008 08:41 AM

  I hope that Transcend will continue to concentrate on offering the best coffee, including roasted coffee in the Edmonton area. One example of this was the improved method for green coffee storage. Sometimes I think it could use more seating space but that is one effect of growing popularity. I have liked that there is more information about roasted on dates for coffee and hope that this practice will be continued. I wouldn't mind knowing when coffee is roasted during the week (e.g. by posting this information to the website) so one could pick up coffee soon after roasting.

  
  
• By Thea  |  Tuesday, November 25, 2008 03:24 PM

  I heard one member of our tribe call us Transcendents!!
  Does a tribe differ from a club or a clique? I hope so, as those words have negative connotations. I'd like to think that those of us who hang around the bar welcome others hanging around the bar, so long as they satisfy a certain criteria - love good coffee.
  I have an idea for stirring things up - draw the line on things you believe in, things that make for a more distinct tribe, and a better environment for your tribe to thrive in.
  1. Take away the cream and sugar. OOOOOHHHH!!!! Or at least have some sort of reward for people who take the dare. Like a wall of fame when they progress to drinking black or without sugar.
  2. At 2% Jazz, on saturdays espressos are free, to reward the more "pure" of that tribe.
  4. Ban idling of cars in winter (or summer!)outside Transcend.
  5. Ban talking on cell phones while ordering.
  6. Have more regular smack downs for amateurs to show what they can do!
  7. The demi-tasse idea Andrew is doing is cute, for the regular espresso drinkers.
  
  Okay now I'm going to put the same amount of thought into my own job :)

  
  
• By Jody Carlson  |  Tuesday, November 25, 2008 10:09 AM

  I would agree that Transcend is somewhat a form of coffee tribe in that it has a sincere group of followers that are willing to try whatever the chief has to offer. However i have no feeling of hierarchy when i'm sitting with my wonderfull espresso lost in a coffee moment at the relaxing, yet stimulating enviroment at the caffe.
  
  On the other hand i think i might consider it more of a coffee guild, an association of merchants or craftspersons formed to give help and advice to its members and to make regulations and set standards for a particular trade. A meeting of people with sincere and passionate interest with true dedication to participate in an ever higher sensory experience.
  
  I love the caffe and all the people that work there, i'm always looking forward to what new things you have to offer. I love it when someone has mustered a new signature or experimental drink and the idea of the demitase club.
  
  Thanks for making the dream a reality...
  
  
  Jody