With the capabilities of today’s enterprise software, there is really no excuse for this. Depending on how their systems are set up, one should be able to see the level of business at each Starbucks, how much product is going out the door at what time, and, which product specifically. Of course, these systems are meant to provide information and not make management decisions, otherwise you end up with debacles such as when Starbucks did their recent cutbacks based on store sales (not realizing -or perhaps just not coming up with an answer for- the fact that when a barista serves 25 cost conscious customers 25 “tall” size drinks, she is doing the same work as when she served 25 flush customers vente drinks.) In that case, the work level stayed the same, staff was cut and subsequently service went down leading to frustrated employees and customers.

And, since you mentioned music, how about the fact that, at least in the South Bay, Starbucks played depressing music from the 1940s (not even the peppy stuff -just songs about breakups and not knowing how one will go on) for a good three months? I remember one customer musing that the chain was playing the loud repetitive music as a way to keep jobless people from “sitting in the store for eight hours nursing their tall house blend while they surf the job sites”. At the time, I laughed it off as a joke…but later, after about three or four more weeks of down-music, I wondered.

So, I guess the real question here is, who’s minding the store?

I’m sitting here contemplating leaving too. The damn speakers are right above my head and the music is too freaking loud. The speakers should be where the baristas work. The people could still hear the music from this location.

What in the hell is wrong with Starbucks managers? Don’t they understand if people can’t speak to each other without screaming, there is a problem.

I find myself going to Panera Bread for coffee, lunch and Wi-Fi. What a company that does not give a damn about customers’ experiences.

Rick
916-837-7722

I’m a regular at GigaOm and like reading your blogs. You write “teaming with people…” like most good writers do but only the very best can discern “teeming with people…”. I wanted to point that out because as a writer you should be held to a higher standard than an average writer.

Srini

They must be treating their staff well. The Starbucks I visit has the same folks working there over years. Always a good sign.

But, my wife and I both are fans of a local coffee shop called Java Joe’s. One of the first in town with strong free wi-fi. Been through 2 owners and only became bigger and better.

Smart enough to be neighborhood-based. Useful and friendly enough to attract hermits like us when we come to town for work or recreation. Talented baristas – able to tweak whichever beverage of choice we request.

Jave Joe’s – and Starbucks – both seem to have bright enough ownership to identify with people and planet-oriented politics. Which also counts [I believe] with the folks who gravitate to coffee shops as a natural social anchor.

It worked for James Joyce.

The greater Seattle area has a ton of coffee shops. Drive-up shacks are also common in the more rural areas, kinda like the photo huts of old. Will have to try some of the non-Starbucks locations as places to go “work” when I feel the need to get out of the house.

btw in Malaysia, they still open til 10pm..