Starbucks

The Future of Customer Service: Human Intelligence (HI) or Artificial Intelligence (AI)

I have been slow to accept that, from a service perspective, humans will ever be replaced by computers.  I’ve suggested that customers will resist “robots” and I’ve based my thinking in part on the “uncanny valley” hypothesis which postulates that the more robots look like humans the less humans will feel comfortable with them. I…

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Are You Up for the Human/Tech Challenge?

I’m convinced that the new customer experience leadership challenge will be … (drum roll please) … integrating human and technology based service. I refer to this opportunity as the human/tech challenge. That challenge involves leveraging technology for efficiency while integrating it with the warmth of human service delivery. In my opinion, your future success will hinge,…

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Stepping To The Curb – Go Faster…Make It Easier

It will come as no surprise that consumers today demand effortless and expedited service! Online retailers like Amazon have made shopping easier (24-hours a day, purchasing from the comfort of our home, with no lines at checkout) but they make customers wait for delivery (typically relying on UPS). By contrast, brick-and-mortar businesses have products available…

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Make the Experience Faster and More Personal

I have been involved with Starbucks since 2004, beginning with initial research I conducted for my first of two books about them (The Starbucks Experience). During my more than a decade relationship with the brand, I’ve never ceased to be amazed by the commitment of Starbucks leaders when it comes to continuous improvement for both the customer…

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Countering Terror with a Service Heart

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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“Happiness is not an app on a mobile phone” – The Art of Messaging

This blog is about relevant messaging throughout the journey your customers have with your brand. Although I will use Pope Francis as an example, I am not opining about the Catholic church, the popularity of the Pope, or even Christianity in general. I’ll leave all that to the theologians. Much of a customer’s journey with…

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FREE RESOURCES

The Starbucks Experience: Leadership Tips eBook
Elevating Care in Healthcare: Lessons from the UCLA Health System eBook
How to Win Every Customer, Every Time, No Excuses! Article