Community Profiles

Individual Profile:

Catherine Read

United States

(Owner, Creative Read, Inc.)

Fav URL(s):
http://www.Linkedin.com/in/csread, http://www.Amazon.com, http://www.city-data.com/forum/northern-virginia/

Comments:

• They understand who their customers are

  Panera Bread

  06 May 2006

  Panera is remarkably responsive to their customers and sensitive to changing trends. First they added low carb salads, then whole grain baguettes as a bread choice, then opened the process up to allow the choice of 1 of 4 "sides" with any order. They understand who their customers are and what they are looking for - fresh healthy food, quick service, a warm inviting space and reasonable pricing. I love Panera! In my mind they have done everything right and keep getting better and better!

• Hope she lasts for another 100,000 miles!

  Subaru

  12 May 2006

  Over 130,000 miles and she is still going strong! I love my Subaru and can't imagine driving anything else. I've had other kinds of cars, but once I bought this Legacy wagon (2nd hand no less), I have no desire for anything else. I treat her with the greatest care and hope she lasts for another 100,000 miles!

• Works to understand what their readership wants

  BusinessWeek

  25 June 2006

  I read Business Week everyweek without fail. It has such a mix of information - not just "hardcore" business articles, but everything from cool blogs and book reviews to great regular columns from people who have made an impact in their own industries. They cover breaking business news that I need to know about, but I love how they are constantly fine tuning the magazine to meet the special interest of their readers - like buying homes abroad, and most recently adding a regular column on wine by Robert Parker! Awesome! Yes, they have articles that challenge my intellect and some I only skim, but I love a publication that works to understand what their readership wants, and Business Week it all of that!

• Connecting people of all kinds to other people

  Shutterfly

  25 June 2006

  I use Shutterfly all the time! Not just for sharing photos online of my kids' graduations, our vacation and the dog, but with a click of the mouse, I order prints which are sent directly to my mom via US Mail. I also use it for connecting people of all kinds to other people. We recently launched a new division at my company and I took pictures at the ceremony we had. This location is removed from our corporate HQ, so when I sent the link out to people all over the company to view the album I had set up, they were really delighted! It gave them a chance to see the space, see the names and the faces of people in the new center and to feel more connected! The ability to add comments & titles to the photos lets me create interesting little mini-documentaries!

• My kids and I love these candy bars!

  Violet Crumble

  25 June 2006

  My kids and I love these candy bars! My second husband is Australian and we brought these back from a trip to visit his family in 1995. They quickly became a favorite, but they are almost impossible to find in the US. When we ran across them at World Market this past Christmas, my daughter bought every one they had in the store (that wasn't broken!) and gave them out as Christmas presents where she works. No one had ever heard of them, so it made a unique gift and a great way to share this remarkable treat with those who have never had one. It rocks!

• I love Fast Company!

  Fast Company

  25 June 2006

  I love Fast Company! I send articles electronically to my colleagues from the website. I buy extra magazines that I give to people, I've bought gift subcriptions and even cut out articles and mailed them with a note! It would be hard to know how many people have subscriptions as a direct result of my raving about it. It was a wonderful irony that FastCompany sent me a survey about the June 2006 issue and I was able to tell them one of the best articles was the very last one - a debate between Lovemarks author Kevin Roberts and creative director Brian Collins. They are always out on the leading edge of change!

• Have to have my Trader Joe's!

  Trader Joe's

  25 June 2006

  We couldn't live without Trader Joe's! So much of what we eat is a Trader Joe's branded product, and there is just nothing else comparable on the market. I just love shopping there - the products are outstanding, the prices better than anywhere else, and the stores and staff make it a pleasant place to be any day of the week. I send my Mom care packages of their low salt and organic foods, as well as specialty items and spices that can't be found anywhere else. She doesn't have a Trader Joe's where she lives, so I shop for her when I shop for us. It is just the best place to find food you love to eat! And wine! Oh my gosh, the wine selection is a whole separate rave! Have to have my Trader Joe's!