Don't kick Starbucks

It's become a popular task to kick Starbucks at the moment. But wait a minute. Talk to your colleagues. Or even-what the heck-talk to the person next to you in the early morning line-and you'll find out that the majority of Starbucks customers-once you get beyond the quick hyperbole- are still loyal and still believe:
the core product (coffee) is great;
as is the ambience (furniture, music, clean wash-rooms);
the staff attitude (how can we get it right for you?);
and the nice abundance feel (one tall latte gets you a day on your lap-top at the corner table if you so wish)
plus regular innovation in music, drinks and food.

So what's the problem? Starbucks forgot-as can we all-whatever was great once now just seems OK. We've simply got used to them and forgotten what it was like before they were everywhere. We've moved on. We're looking for the next buzz. And once an organisation is really well established with lots of infrastructure-as Starbucks or Microsoft or M&S in the UK or increasingly-in hushed tones only-Apple, it becomes difficult to shake off the shackles of 'just OK'. But it's got to be done or a slow death starts.

Time to book an off-site, guys. What would make you so good that you would never need to advertise, that word of mouth would do it (again)? That's the question and deep down you know the answer. And so does Starbucks and it isn't their new smoothies.

Have a great off-site.