Have you seen this article from the WSJ about Satrbucks implementing a new set of rules that encourage baristas to slow down?

In a nutshell, Starbucks is trying to up the quality and consistency of drinks. But, the flip side is that volume will decrease.

Will this help re-position Starbucks? Or, just frustrate customers who have become accustomed to the assembly line method of drink preperation?

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So true Jay. We would not have careers in this business if it wasn't for them. Did most of us really start from there anyway. It is a different universe. We need to focus on what WE do. SOME hungover hipsters might not be good customer service people in any profession. Sometimes I wonder if it is really about the coffee for these ones. What is wrong with speed and smiles if the coffee is great?

Jay Caragay said:
You know, I think griping about the quality aspect of Starbucks is really wasting your time and energies. Face it, a company with 6,700 stores and over 100,000 employees worldwide is going to operate differently than any of us. To expect a company this large to adhere to the same standards as a small, quality-focused shop is just out of touch with reality. The quality of Starbucks is commensurate with its size.

Interestingly enough, while Starbucks may be unable to brew a cup as delicious as many specialty independent shops, it almost universally manages to trump these Third Wave shops on friendliness and customer experience.
great bit of publicity, it gets people talking about their brand.. simple. It might even suggest they are improving (im not saying they are). But the subject of the article suggests they are moving forward and looking to improve and the method (the article) get people talking, keeping the brand at the front and in your face....


Kim xx
I just has a customer come in today and tell me about the wine & cheese. She said if they are going to serve alcohol then she will not go there again, ever! Then she said, she wasn't going back anyway because now that she found us, her drinks taste better, cost less and she doesn't have to drive 30 minute to get it.



David Lanning said:
Interesting follow up here is that Starbucks is now getting into the wine and cheese business...
I agree with that one, it seems as if the rumored quality of the indy shop had made it to the desk of someone important at the bux in the form of a memo.....look out, they are on to us!!!

Jason Haeger said:
Funny. I just shared my thoughts on it: Starbucks Baristas Told to Slow Down – WSJ

Basically, I see it as a publicity stunt to make people think that they suddenly care a lot about quality. If only it were true. A google search (image posted in the link above) says otherwise.
slow down, enjoy the moment, and maybe spend some time talking to the person next to you while you wait or drink your coffee, that's what it's all about isn't it?


Nico said:
slow down, enjoy the moment, and maybe spend some time talking to the person next to you while you wait or drink your coffee, that's what it's all about isn't it?
Generally I agree with your sentiment.

However if by "it" you mean this discussion, then no... that's not what it's all about.
My apologies, when writing my post I was only considering the original post "baristas told to slow down". My point is that the customers should take more time as well, to slow down and enjoy the ceremony of drinking coffee, good cups are time consuming and labour intensive. When customers are privileged enough to constantly enjoy a "God in a cup" experience they will be loyal to the establishment and make a time sacrifice to relive that moment each day. Every cup matters! Period.

In regards to loosing customer due to a longer wait, there is only a certain amount of quality coffees that a team of baristas can produce behind 1 machine per minute. When that capacity is reached the business owners then need to consider a second machine and a second team or be happy with the current output. This is a good problem to have!

In regards to Indy's verse Starbucks, there is no competition. The love a sole trader puts into his or her business can never be matched by a chain.


Nico

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