11/04/2024
As a Miami University alum and someone who’s found years of JOY at Starbucks, (including meeting my husband there!) I was especially interested in the recent The New York Times article on Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol's efforts to address challenges facing the brand.
I couldn’t agree more with his perspective—Starbucks can and should be more than a transaction. For me and so many others, Starbucks has been a place of connection and comfort, where a friendly barista and a cozy space meant more than just coffee. And I also believe like the article states, a visit to Starbucks feels very transactional now.
I believe a return to the “coffee house” mentality—where Starbucks is truly a “third place”—could be transformative, and here’s why:
➡️Community Building: A coffee house creates opportunities for genuine connection, reminding people that they’re part of something larger. Connections bring joy and that is what this upcoming season is all about.
➡️Loyalty Through Experience: Going beyond the transaction to create memorable moments builds lasting loyalty that no mobile app can replicate. (just wait until I share exactly how loyal my family is to the brand!)
➡️Employee Engagement: When baristas can connect with customers, it not only enriches the customer experience but energizes the staff, reducing burnout and increasing satisfaction. And in my keynote session "Joy Jolt" I share three important reasons why joy is important to retaining employees.
✨ This holiday season, I’m launching a personal initiative to discuss rediscover the joy in connections and with our work. And yes, there may be a few more Starbucks references. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing insights and ideas here on LinkedIn to inspire a new season of joy for teams. Here’s to rekindling the spirit of Starbucks as a gathering space, where joy and connection thrive. ☕