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So, I've gotta hand it to Starbucks. Its new site, My Starbucks Idea, is actually...well, a good idea. You sign up and simply type in a suggestion that you think the coffee chain should adopt, and post it to the site. You can also view others' advice, and vote on ones you think are worthwhile. Then - and this is the kicker - someone from the corporation actually reads the ideas and even puts some of them into practice. Several of the ideas on the site are currently "under review," like the suggestions for implementing frequent buyer punch cards, or for implementing free Wifi access in every store (obviously, many city locations already have WiFi service).
I'm also surprised at the quality of the suggestions. Though I'd imagine that the site is highly monitored to eliminate the crazies (or, for that matter, Starbucks haters), many of the responses are actually decent and well thought-out. And some, on the other hand, are flat-out hilarious: one poster calls Starbucks' music "pseudo-intellectual," "over-produced" and "noisy garbage," while another requests that the music in his local store be turned down, so that when he's "making a business call, it doesn't sound like I'm calling from a public place." Um...isn't that what your home and office are for?
Hmm...so I guess suggesting "STOP EXPANDING YOUR CHAIN!" would probably get flagged, huh? Just a thought.
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4-03-2008 @12:00PM noza said... I looked on MyStarbucksIdea.com and see that this idea has been posted over and over again, but doesn't seem to be getting much "points" traction...
Offer "real" ceramic mugs to people who are going to stay and drink the coffee in the cafe. In fact, ask customers if they want the coffee "to stay" or "to go", don't make us beg for a real mug. I understand there's some debate on the environmental impact of a recycled paper cup vs. the water and detergent to wash a reusable item, but in terms of atmosphere nothing beats sitting down with a real, warmed cup.
I've often gone to another coffee place near me just because of this issue, even though their coffee and service is variable at best.
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4-03-2008 @3:43PM Alex said... Here's my opinion - Slashfood should stop posting about Starbucks 3 times a week.
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4-03-2008 @3:52PM Ellen Slattery said... Duly noted, Alex.
Ellen
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4-04-2008 @6:35PM Greg Sherwin said... Alex: you are my hero.
Like Starbucks doesn't buy enough press coverage as it is. And yet Starbucks hasn't been relevant to quality coffee in over a decade.
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5-25-2008 @3:26PM Mack said... Everyone that knows coffee is aware that coffee is the second most traded commodity next to
oil. Coffee has been my favorite drink during my business career and leisure time. I have always
tried to make that "perfect cup of coffee". Whenever someone finds that "perfect cup of coffee", it is usually
considered perfect to their taste only and, not necessarily perfect to the coffee drinking community. I would like to suggest a perfect cup (to my taste) and suggest you might give it a go also. Try the Kona blend. I don't mean the 90% whatever to 10% Kona, I mean 50% good Arabica bean and 50% Kona. If you have problems finding this blend, try www.mochamack.com. Happy cupping!
P.S.
Starbucks sucks! Bad after taste and burnt.
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5-03-2008 @8:23AM Kevin said... While I also applaud Starbucks for creating a process that brings customers into their innovation process, there is also a downside you didn't mention. Competitors, ranging from Peet's to the hole-in-the-wall corner coffee shop, can also access Starbucks' innovation discussion. This is a treasure trove of what customers are looking for, what has been tried, and what works or doesn't work. To top it off, Starbucks is doing a great job of interacting, thereby providing more free market research.
I'm still in favor of what Starbucks has done, but if I was a small-timer I'd also be perousing the suggestion boards every day!
More on this specific topic from a business excellence perspective at:
http://www.evolvingexcellence.com/blog/2008/04/morro-bay-coffe.html
Best,
Kevin
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