Sparse Random Thoughts

So, Uncle Howie unveiled “a series of innovative customer-facing initiatives” at the shareholders annual meeting. Or as I like to see it, desperate attempts to bring our stock back up. Sorry, but I tend to be a pessimist of course I also expect most people to think more rationally than they do too. So, what wonders are in store for Starbucks?

• A proprietary and revolutionary in-store Clover® brewing system that delivers the best cup of brewed coffee available anywhere;
• A complete reinvention of brewed coffee in-store, that will be brought to life by baristas across the U.S., who will scoop and grind a new unique coffee blend, connecting customers to the early days of Starbucks;
• The introduction of a new state-of-the-art espresso system that provides the perfect shot every time and helps facilitate the critical connection between barista and customer;
• The first phase of a Starbucks Card Rewards program, rewarding registered cardholders and providing unique new benefits when using their cards in Starbucks stores;
• The launch of MyStarbucksIdea.com, Starbucks first online community, that takes the Starbucks Experience outside the store and enables customers to play a role in shaping the company’s future; and,
• An expanded relationship with Conservation International that enhances Starbucks 37-year commitment to ethically sourcing the world’s finest coffees and reaffirms Starbucks leadership position in sustainable sourcing and climate preservation.

Ok, so what I’ve read of the Clover machines they sound like a good idea.

How about the second item though? Sounds nice, flowery imagery, so we won’t have ground pre-packs of coffee, but the question is “Do flavor locked bags keep roasted beans as fresh as the day they were roasted?” I guess that’s for your taste buds to decide, but not a huge change in my opinion.

Number three I think is still going to be dependent on the barista doing their job, which is how it is now. Though easier to operate machinery doesn’t aways seem to mean higher quality, it does however make it easier to replace employees.

We all know a customer reward program is overdue, but is this going to satisfy those seeking such a thing.

Wow, a website where people can submit ideas and vote/comment on other people’s suggestions. Seems to be mimicking Dell on an idea that can be useful, but doesn’t guarantee anything.

Last, but not least, we’re still dodging Fair Trade hmm…?

Of course if you want more on this press release or like to keep up on Starbucks or I always recommend checking out Starbucks Gossip.

Those of you who follow Starbucks Gossip may have read this a week ago, but I thought the comments from Gordon Bowker deserved repeating.

Q: What do you like about Peet’s?

A: For one thing, you can see baristas making the drinks by hand, not pushing buttons. All the coffee is roasted to order; there’s no warehouse. It’s shipped the day it’s roasted.

You can also get your coffee in porcelain. Here comes a guy who’s bringing his tea up and steeping his tea in the little pot.

Quality as a sustainable business philosophy is important to me, so the fact that Peet’s has maintained those standards is very rewarding to me.

Q: You and Jerry don’t talk about Starbucks because you’re on Peet’s board, and it’s competitive. But I’m wondering why you don’t talk about Howard Schultz?

A: You remember the movie “Bambi”? And the little rabbit Thumper? And Thumper’s mother said (animated voice), “Thumper, what did your father tell you?” And Thumper said, “If you can’t say something nice about somebody, don’t say anything at all.”

It was an interesting interview and I think definitely worth the time to read.

Starbucks co-founder talks about early days, launching Redhook and Seattle Weekly, too

Sometimes wisdom comes wrapped in a cookie or at least I think that was the intention. Often vague statements that apply to anyone and encourage them to look forward to their future, the fortune cookie can provide great amusement. This especially true when you get especially weird ones.

That’s the idea behind this site: http://weirdfortunecookies.com/

My small collection of fortunes that have amused me.

Being from Northern Kentucky I’ve always be a bit suspicious of Ohio.  Now evidence seems to be supporting my suspicions.  Apparently, they like to flaunt that voting is a joke, which we all know is wrong to do.

Ohio seizes voting machines in criminal investigation.
Ohio’s voting machines are now an official crime scene.

I thoroughly liked this article by Quester over at de-conversion.com