Brands in the news for their trade secrets
Whenever a big company’s trade secret is exposed, the company’s brand image is on the line. Critics feel trade secrets and conspiracies are nothing but marketing schemes by brands.
Ever wondered what Coca-Cola, KFC, Google and McDonald’s have in common? Trade secrets! Coke’s unique taste, Colonel’s secret herbs to Google’s distinct algorithm which makes them stand apart. Whenever a big company’s trade secret is exposed, the company’s brand image is on the line. So are the profits. Conspiracy theorists claim that it could be a profit-making marketing scheme for the companies as well. Whether it is a marketing scheme or actually a loss enabler – trade secrets are no doubt fascinating especially because they are out of reach for so many of us. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest brands and their trade secrets and leaks.
Coca- Cola: The Coca- Cola recipe is currently stored in a vault at Atlanta's World of Coca-Cola museum, Shanon You, former employee of Coke was one of the people who had access to some of Coke’s secrets. You attempted to use the $120 million technology but was later arrested for fraud and economic espionage. You allegedly wanted to start her own can linear company in China. Another former employee Joya Williams tried to strike a war between Cola and Pepsi but therein was her rookie mistake. Pepsi reported to Coke about her and she was caught red-handed after FBI officers posed as Pepsi executives and approached her for a deal.
Today's consumers are informed and want to know what ingredients are being used before consuming it. Brands like Nestle seem to have realized it and thus they are coming up with videos where they are talking about their ingredients before consumers start questioning it. Take a look at what Nestle is saying in the following video.
Google’s algorithm: Google’s algorithm is the holy bible for digital marketers even though they can’t read or crack it. SEO experts, marketers, advertisers and entrepreneurs all want their products and services to rank at the top. Google is one of those reference librarians which probably has the answer to every question. In the midst of discourse about transparency, critics say that revealing the algorithm is not in Google’s best interests as it uses its algorithm for commercial interests. Also, revealing it might attract hackers as well.
McDonald’s: The Big Mac is nothing without its “special sauce” which is McDonald’s closely guarded secret along with its french fries. The temperature of the oil and timing when the fries are added to the oil is apparently McDonald’s secret trick to deliver a consistent taste worldwide. What makes it all the way more uniform is that globally McDonald’s gets high starch potatoes for its restaurants worldwide; also the freezing and thawing of the fries makes it all the more complex and difficult to crack.
KFC: One of the most famous and loved fast-food meals is the original recipe fried chicken from KFC. The secret recipe of KFC’s famous fried chicken is decades old and a well-kept secret. Around 11 secret herbs and spices fuse together to create magic. Rumour has it that there is a 24-hour surveillance in the recipe’s hiding place which has two different pincodes. Guards are stationed outside as well. The story goes that only two senior executives have access to the recipe and the vault where it is hidden. What makes it all the more complex is the fact that not all spices get blended in the same machine.
