Mary Schmidt Marketing Troubleshooter

No, they’re not abdicating to Mickey D’s or Dunkin. They’re closing all stores for three hours this evening for a barista refresher course on how best to “improve the customer coffee experience.”

Note that it’s not “improve the cup of coffee” - it’s “improve the coffee experience.” Yet, “Among the lessons that will be re-taught include how to wipe the steamer wands and remembering to rinse the pitchers and shot glasses every time.”

It’s a start - but what do you think? Is three hours enough? There’s a lot more to the Starbucks experience than the state of the steamer wands.

P.S. The absolute best cup of coffee anywhere? The one I make at home. When I go out to meet a friend or client, I chose based on ambiance more than the coffee. (Many of the Starbucks here in town are crowded and noisy.)

Related Post: Starbucks Closing Stores (Only 1.5M Left!)

Tags: marketing, marketing troubleshooting, customer service, Starbucks, Starbucks closing stores