Mobi Highlights With Case Study:  Taranta

What’s black and white and read all over? Five years ago the answer was a newspaper, but times have changed. Now the answer is…a QR code.

In its simplest definition, a QR code is a two-dimensional barcode. QR stands for “quick response” and while it might look like a black and white kaleidoscope from the 1980s, the codes hold practical business purposes and are popping up all over the place.

With the help of a smartphone or iPad, consumers can download a free app that enables them to scan the barcode, which directs them to a website or webpage of the business, product or service.

Rather than bombarding the viewer with too much info, a QR serves as a quick link to viewers/customers interested in learning more about a business, product or service.

Already immensely popular in Japan, South Korea and other parts of Asia, QR codes are starting to gain momentum in the US and Canada.

Indeed, they are popping up everywhere from e-mail signatures and  business cardsto “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon” and even gravestones.

When a QR code is placed in a storefront’s window, shoppers can simply scan the code and instantly learn more about the designers featured in the window display or available inventory. In this sense, QR codes help bring offline customers online. QR codes can help improve your sales.  Have a printed QR code on offline advertising material and offer your customers a compelling offer of your product or service.

Case Study:   Taranta

In 2000, Taranta opened as a southern Italian restaurant. Four years later Chef and Owner Jose Duarte discovered he wasn’t alone: there were more than 250 Italian restaurants within his two-mile radius. Knowing he needed to make his restaurant stand out in a saturated market, he decided to marry Peruvian cuisine with Italian technique.

Duarte found his inspiration for QR codes six years ago at a conference in Madrid when he saw Japanese chef Seiji Yamamoto using a generic edible code linking to a recipe. Duarte wanted to replicate it, but he had to wait until January 2011 for the device to be ready for the U.S.  A customized QR code was designed for Taranta with the shape of a fish on it (as seen above).

Taranta also has rubber stamp QR codes and silk screen QR codes on fish orders so customers can scan the code on the plate to find out where and when the fish was caught, by whom and when it was delivered to the restaurant.  Duarte didn’t stop there in his self-proclaimed “code madness” – he even created a branding iron to stamp a corn tortilla with a QR.

QR codes aren’t the only new media Taranta uses; six years ago Duarte started a blog and he’s also on Facebook and Twitter.

Duarte said Mobile technology is an important way of connecting with foodies. “Mobile technology is growing very fast. We want to be ahead.”

But while Duarte offers his patrons shiny new toys, he’s a proponent of old-fashioned table manners. “I’m not intending to have my customers scan codes during dinner. I consider the use of Mobile devices during dinner very distracting and impolite.”

Primarily, Duarte intends the codes to be used in demos, classes or with customers interested in food sourcing. Plus, tracking the fish also serves an internal sourcing purpose for Taranta.

Duarte plans to also start posting the QR code outside of the restaurant to create coupons or promotions to increase business. “We are at the experimental stages but through our QR codes and website, our customers can seamlessly navigate our menu, make reservations, find out specials, coupons…they can even pay ahead for a glass of wine at dinner.”

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My recommendation is you have a name for your small business.  You set up a Web site and Hosting on your own so you own this internet real estate.  You set up an autoresponder to capture online clients which is a great source of increasing client base.  You start an email campaign.  You start blogging and referring customers to your website for purchasing so you are seeing profits from it. What’s next? You could set up a profile page on a social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.  These social sites allow you to virtually shout your company’s message from a technological rooftop.

If you require assistance in helping your business getting this setup please visit our list of services.  You may also fill out the Contact form, write us an email.  Wishing your business much success!