Comments on: Can Starbucks Adapt Before They Become Irrelevant?

By: Rosetta Stone French

Rosetta Stone French — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:18:14 +0000

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By: Melody

Melody — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:12:51 +0000

Thank you Cameron! I’ll be sure to come back to your blog often! Looks like you have some good content! Hope to see you comment on mine. I’m now following you on twitter too. Melody (Btw, I saw your twitter profile. I’m ex-AF. 4 yrs from 85-89)

By: Cameron Schaefer

Cameron Schaefer — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:02:18 +0000

@Melody,

You’re right, so much of what makes Starbucks great cannot be found in their financial statement. The interactions between baristas and customers is hard to measure yet vital to making the whole operation work.

I’m reminded of a book I read several years ago called, “The Starbucks Experience” where author Joseph Michelli attributed their success to 5 principles:

1) Make It Your Own
2) Everything Matters
3) Surprise and Delight
4) Embrace Resistance
5) Leave Your Mark

None of these require an MBA or understanding of corporate finance, but all are necessary and combine to make Starbucks great.

BTW, checked out your blog, nice work!

By: Melody

Melody — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:31:50 +0000

It’s definitely an interesting take on the changes Starbucks is going through, but it seems as though the emphasis of the article is very numbers driven. Of course, how many stores they have, store comps, and those kinds of metrics ARE critical, but I think that more intangible, less concrete discussions are important when discussing Starbucks. Everytime you turn around they’re doing something drastic these days: One coffee on the brew all the time as opposed to showcasing their great blends. Now you have Gold Card now you don’t. They said we’ll never do pairings, and now they’re doing them. Labor is bone tight.

In any event, I love my rich roasty cup of coffee, and so they still have me hooked. Thank you for the interesting read for sure. And yes, 1912 Pike Place isn’t *really* the first store, but my understanding is that it is a ‘relocated’ first store from the site where Etta’s is on Western Ave., to the current location. That still sort of makes it the first store. It moved a few feet, though I can’t remember why off the top of my head.

By: marctheanalyst

marctheanalyst — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:58:55 +0000

@Charles & Brice — sorry to hear that you don’t share my zeal for the flavor, clearly the experience isn’t for everyone…but I appreciate your thoughts on the subject….thanks for sharing!

By: marctheanalyst

marctheanalyst — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:53:12 +0000

@Melanie – small internet! whoa, so cool you were able to read this and I’m glad you enjoyed it.

By: Brice Stacey

Brice Stacey — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:00:32 +0000

I don’t visit Starbucks, but they bother me. Mostly in that they’ve changed the market’s perspective on coffee. It’s sexy now, it’s expensive, and more often than not unremarkable and not worth it. You can’t distinguish quality anymore. Everyone claims excellent beans, organically grown, equal exchange, amazing coffee that actually sucks and costs an extra dollar.

I agree with Charles. I drink coffee black with no sugar and Starbucks tastes like burnt cardboard to me.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:22:46 +0000

Great post! As a Seattleite myself, I appreciate the nod to the area, and as a Starbucks consumer, I appreciate the background I wouldn’t ordinarily think of. I think the kicker is the last line–as long as Starbucks makes a better soy chai than anyone else, I’ll keep going there, and so will others, and they’ll stay relevant.

By: Charles

Charles — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:04:21 +0000

I always find their coffee over roasted.. I also got tired of standing behind people who could not make up their minds.. which milk, how much fat, organic or not.. This was supposed to be a “coffee house”.. I was never that impressed with their coffee.. You can make better at home..

By: Patrice

Patrice — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:15:23 +0000

What a very interesting post. Your analysis is very good. Keep posting.