It came as no surprise to me that Dunkin’ Donuts bested Harvard University and every other Boston institution save one (Brigham and Women’s Hospital) in a area survey conducted by the public relations firm Morrissey & Company. The Harvard Crimson reports:
Dunkin’ Donuts has put some distance between itself and Harvard in a recent survey gauging the reputation of various Massachusetts companies and institutions.
The survey, released on Friday by the Boston-area public relations firm Morrissey & Company, saw Harvard fall to seventh overall from its first place position last year. Nearby collegiate rivals Boston University and Tufts took fourth and fifth, respectively, while Dunkin’ Donuts vaulted into the second spot. The top position in the survey was occupied by Brigham and Women’s Hospital—a Harvard affiliate.Prior to 2006, Harvard ranked first in the three previous administrations of the survey. Peter Morrissey, founder of the company that conducted the survey, said Harvard’s fall in the rankings is worth noting.
“To go from the top of the ratings… down to where you were this year—our researchers did tell us that that was significant,” Morrissey said. “You wouldn’t describe that as a statistical anomaly.”
According to a Morrissey & Co. press release, the survey was administered to 200 local business leaders and asked for assessments of 74 Boston area companies and institutions in areas ranging from “reputation” to “ethics” to “financial stability.” This was the first year that Dunkin’ Donuts was on the list of institutions assessed. Organizations on the list are selected for the poll based on employment figures in Massachusetts.
Some Harvard undergraduates were quite miffed at being slammed by commoners, even as they wolfed down products of lowly donut chain:
As he entered the Bow Street shop yesterday afternoon, Dan Smith ’83 had his own thoughts to offer on the donut franchise’s superior reputation.
“I think Harvard has probably contributed more to society, and donuts really aren’t that good for you anyway.’
Even the donut-loving Kathryn G. Maxson ’10 did not appear to be particularly pleased with the donut vender’s success in the Morrissey poll.
“As far as the longevity of the institution is concerned, I certainly respect Harvard more than Dunkin’ Donuts being that Harvard is an educational institution and Dunkin’ Donuts is a fast food agency,” Maxson said. “And I think it is a sad statement on American values if Dunkin’ Donuts is ranked higher.”
I don’t happen to agree with either Ms. Maxson or Mr. Smith. I think the survey results are a statement on the low standards of ethics, humility and honesty set by Harvard students. And a donut has never killed anyone, like Senator Ted Kennedy (Class of 1956) or “Unibomber” Ted Kaczynski (Class of 1962).
Source: Harvard Crimson
For years I used Dunkin Donuts cases in my busness and marketing classes to demonstrate to students how easy and effective quality customer service should be. Today, with so many “commodity” options available to consumers, Dunkin Donuts could easily loose its brand loyaty unless it takes exceptional care of its customers.
I have been a regular customer of the Dunkin Donuts store on Stelton Road in Piscataway, New Jersey for at least 8 years. I have gone there daily sometimes twice a day during that time even though there are two store closer to my home and work. Recently my wife purchased a gift card for $25 for my birthday and paid cash for it along with some other items. Apparently the store employee who sold my wife the card did not properly register the card because several days later when I went to use it the card had a zero dollar balance.
I went to the store to talk to the manager feeling confident that because I was such a regular customer that I could get the issue resolved quicly and to my satisfaction. Instead, the manager was defensive and rude. Her best response was I would have to wait for two days for her to “look at the books” .
Well. now, this store has lost a customer for life. They may not miss the $1500 to $2000 annual sales from me but It will be my mission to tell everyone I can to avoid that store. I will use this case in all my classes as an example of head-slapping stupidity by a small busness and how to lose business over dumb management decisions.
Dr. Faulkner
What’s up with this new format? Why is the latest posting December 21st? What happened to the old forum?
Your signs say get a free donut with Any Large Coffe but a Xlarge coffee is not included at my store in springdale Ohio because it not any large coffee. but you 90 % more for my Xl coffee vs your Large cup. It stupid xlarge cups shuld get a donut too !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great T V Commercial tapping what looks like an American Ash Tree and talking about Maple Syrup ??What is up with this gaff ,was it that hard to see what the bark of a real Sugar Maple Tree would look like ?Geesh This is so sad for all in the Sugar Maple Industry.What a damm Insult.
CALIFORNIA?? WHAT ABOUT IN NEVADA? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME STORES IN LAS VEGAS AS WELL. I AM ORIGINALLY FROM THE EAST AND I USED TO GO AT LEAST 3 TIMES A DAY BACK HOME, BUT SINCE WE MOVED OUT HERE, NONE………I AM JONESING FOR SOME DUNKIN DONUT COFFEE….
I can’t beleive there is going to be a dunkin donuts in china and none in california. i agree on the idea to have a petition to bring dunkin donuts to CA.
low cost meridia…
…
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! lbjbttpycbcv
meridia coupon appetite meridia
Dunkin Donuts managers are mostly non-legal immigrants. How could the DD management hire them, they should be fined. They can’t even speak English. Homeland Security should be alerted.