I just learned that the world's largest coffee company is closing 600 stores nationwide and cutting 12,000 jobs - and analysts say there's more to come.
Since starting my internship here at the church, I've definitely been visiting Starbucks coffeehouses a lot more often. My boss is seriously and addict, haha, and will take me there almost anytime we're meeting - or whenever he gets a craving. On top of that, all of our Bible studies this summer are held in coffee shops, and of course the AU study is in a Starbucks.
But for me, Starbucks is about much more than coffee. It's about people.
See, Starbucks is simply a means to an end. Their coffee is good, but you can get decent stuff elsewhere for much cheaper. Yet whenever I want to meet with someone one-on-one, I typically invite them to Starbucks. I've found that chatting with a friend at a coffee shop is one of the best ways to really get to know someone.
I'm convinced that Starbucks is a public place made for private conversation. It's a place for sincerity. A place to truly connect with someone. A place where you can ask, "How are you?" and mean it.
Bring a friend to Starbucks and try it. It'll be an awesome time!
So true. Thats why we have our young adult group there!
you ARE a good writer :)
Posted by: Emily | July 02, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Hah...yeah. He is a bit of an addict isn't he?
Good insights. Not surprising that they're cutting stores though. They've really grown too fast and they got away from what their brand was coffee wise.
Posted by: Ryan | July 02, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Your blogs are interesting.
:]]
Posted by: Danielle | July 03, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Have you read the business book about Starbucks? I think it might actually be called the Starbucks principle, but I don't recall honestly. But it explains their goal as a store and your blog just proved them absolutely successful. You should read that little book if you have a chance. brilliant.
Posted by: Sarah | July 04, 2008 at 02:14 AM
Sarah's right - the book by Howard Schultz - "Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup At a Time" is really good. I am not generally a fan of business and entrepreneurship but Schultz does a great job of showing the vision behind the company and how he's built it... you definitely should check it out!
http://www.amazon.com/Pour-Your-Heart-into-Starbucks/dp/0786883561
Posted by: Whitney | July 04, 2008 at 07:57 AM