NOTICE: the topic of this blog post deals with food. If you have an aversion to blog posts discussing this topic, please avert your gaze or click on the provided link. Always consult your physician before starting a regimen of reading blog posts discussing food. If you feel shortness of breath or lightheaded while reading this blog post, stop and seek immediate medical attention.
In case you hadn't noticed, the world came to an abrupt halt yesterday for three hours. It was so abrupt I thought we were all going to be thrown from the face of the planet into the icy depths of space! During that time, Starbucks took it upon itself to cease operations, forego profit and retrain their baristas (which sounds an awful lot like a Cockney barrister, but I digress) in the art of drawing the perfect espresso. This isn't small change; based on the company's 2007 revenue, most of it coming from its 7000 stores in the US, Starbucks pulls in a little over $1 million an hour, $3.50 at a time.
The problem is technology and automation. Starbucks went to automatic espresso makers about a year ago. Since then it's been trial and error just to find that Starbucks flavor that we've all grown addic... err, to love. My own mocha order started sounding like Steve Martin's in L.A. Story. "I'd like a quad venti mocha, nonfat, no whip, three pumps." While I'm sure Starbucks was looking forward to the profit acquired from its customers ordering extra shots, I bet that was offset by fewer sales as orders grew longer and more complex, all in an effort to recreate what was a pretty decent mocha to begin with.
So, I put Starbucks to the test this morning. Pulling up in the drive-thru, I engaged in the idle chit-chat with the woman manning the register. I suspect there's a company policy that tells them to do this. Still, they do it artfully. I told her it was test time... "I'd like a venti mocha." I felt as if I was forgetting something, that it couldn't be that simple, but I suppressed the urge to futz with it. I was met at the window with my customary pumpkin loaf, napkins galore, and it. The woman looked at me expectantly, as if I was going to try it right there, then followed up with "please tell us if you like it." Oh, I will, I thought in that sinister whisper voice I'm known to occasionally employ for effect. As I drove away, I nibbled on the pumpkin loaf, almost hesitant to take that first sip. Such high expectations I had. Was I being unfair?
At the first stop light, I raised my cup (made of 10% post-consumer recycled fiber) and took the first sip of the rest of my life. Hmmmmmmm... no insulin shock from the chocolate... not so strong that it puts (more) hair on my back... not acidic... it's... It's... IT'S... PERFECT! And I rejoiced--yay.
So they did it. In three short hours, Starbucks rediscovered their roots and the secret of making a decent mocha. Mostly machine-made, but what isn't?
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
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6 comments:
You know, I did not see any follow up story for this today. There was such a big hoopla about it. Maybe they got it right, so it was a non-story.
I think they got it right... that is until they don't show an increase in earnings per share and the press makes hay of it.
I just stumbled upon your stumble upon. Kinda low on your list over there. Still, some fun stuff.
I couldn't help notice your affinity for brunette/black haired fans... ;)
Well you were one of my earlier stumbles. It's a sequential thing.
Yeah, my friends list is hurting for testosterone (no offense to Tanner). Actually, Tanner and Reem (rabeidoh) both work with Lisa, as did Ann (amyalcin01). Kristen (I think), aka kmunse, is one of Lisa's social media pals and is apparently kind of a big deal just based on the number of folks who follow her. Shelley (?), aka sshelley1, had a lot of conservative links, some of which I swiped, so I "friended" her because you gain access to their content when you do so. The rest of my "friends" are people who wandered by and became my "fans," so I friended them in return. Turns out Winter (her real name) is an IP lawyer.
You've picked up on an odd phenomenon that I haven't figured out--guys don't seem to want to "friend" me. Granted, one guy (a Marine Gunny) gave me a weird review about my "daddy bone," and I've chatted a little to happyacres about politics. I had some gay guy (starwulf) give me a thumbs up. But the people I would normally have the most in common with don't seem to be interested in seeing my content. I'm wondering whether my links are manly enough.
It must be just like the old saying: the guys want to be you and the ladies want to be with you!
And I didn't even see that I was on your list. I was meaning that the widget was low on the right side of your blog. (You listed me! Thank you! I am humbled!)
I just went through your stumbles again. You have a great mix of items. (You stumbled yourself?!? Sheesh.) You have a very diverse list. If I had the time/inclination/whatever to join, I would want to be your friend. I guess that means maybe I'm not so manly. Hmmmmmm.
Anyway, I will check it out more often!
Yeah, there's no real design intent on my part (heh... said design intent like I knew what it meant) with my blog, so the side bar is a mess.
I wasn't stumbling myself per se, but rather, I wanted to stumble that video (one of my favorites, but then how often do you see anything even mildly amusing regarding telecom?). It just so happens the video is on my blog and I'm too lazy to go to the source. So there! ;)
Sent you an invite. Help me out over here. Be my friend. Add some testosterone to my list.
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