Leading the Starbucks Way

Yet again the world is rocked by a terrible and senseless mass shooting. In a community not far from me in Central Florida, innocent men and women entered a business not expecting to run out in horror, be carried out in pain, or not walk out at all. The media will spotlight the human suffering…

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Not Hand Size – Heart Size: The Art of Engagement and Loyalty

While political candidates have been making headlines challenging one another on the comparative “size of their hands” – a client of mine has demonstrated it really is the size of one’s heart that matters. I am honored to say I know and work with a company from Sheboygan, Wisconsin whose leaders care so much about…

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Not Hand Size! Heart Size! The Art of Engagement and Loyalty

Who is #2 (behind Google) on Fortune magazine’ “Best Companies to Work for” list?

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How to Create a Successful Customer Loyalty Program

Having worked with Starbucks since 2004, as I began my journey to my first of two books about them (The Starbucks Experience and later Leading the Starbucks Way), friends and colleagues are quick to contact me whenever Starbucks makes the news. That goes for both good and bad news! Recently Starbucks announced a change in…

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Are your property values up? Thank Starbucks

What does brand equity get you? Among other things – happy neighbors! According to recent reports, when a Starbucks opens nearby your property values rise – alot. Before you think this phenomena occurs anytime a multi-national company opens its doors in your vicinity, the research also shows that its better to have Starbucks than Dunkin…

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Would you have your wedding at Starbucks? Becoming a Beloved Brand

So would you? Would you have your wedding at Starbucks? How about your reception? Lets switch venues, how about at Taco Bell or Subway? While I have never heard of a Taco Bell reception, I have been tracking the phenomena of Starbucks weddings and receptions since I worked on my first book about the company…

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Wireless Charging at a Starbucks Near You! Partnering in the Removal of Pain/Drain Points

You have seen us. If you are honest you will admit to being one of us. We are the people trying to appear inconspicuous as we feverishly look for an available power outlet to recharge our laptops, tablets, or cellular phones. We are easily located in a wide number of locations including airports and Starbucks…

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To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo? – Starbucks, Ink, & Customer Experience

“Cover your tattoos!” That’s the current policy at Starbucks (and for that matter many other businesses). Partners (the Starbucks term for employees – more on that in my recent book Leading the Starbucks Way) are hired without prejudice for tattoos; they just can’t be visible to customers. Now the company is reconsidering its policy and…

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Forging a Digital Connection of Trust and Relevance

Many business leaders have a love/hate relationship with technology. On the one hand, technological advances offer great business opportunities. On the other hand, the infrastructure costs associated with technology shifts and the rapid pace of technological change pose strategic and operational challenges. Although some business leaders fall in love with technology for technology’s sake leaders…

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