Devoted to customer service and the principles of exceptional customer services

Darren Rowse wrote an excellent post (Ok, so when does he not write an excellent post?) over at ScribeFire.  Although Darren's focus was on offering blogging tips, he used a coffee barista's customer service skills as an example of how to build community and conversation on your blog.  If anything, it's a great post for Starbucks partners to read!

As I was reading Darren's post, it brought to mind my most recent trip to Starbucks.  I had signed up for the Starbucks Card Rewards program and received my free drink coupon in the mail, so I decided to go into a Starbucks in my new neighborhood...

 

"What can I get ya'?" the cashier asked with a blank stare on her face. 

She took my order, but didn't take my name - which is something I've grown accustomed to when I visit a Starbucks. 

Contrast that experience with another coffee shop experience I had at It's A Grind, a fairly new coffee franchise with a location in downtown San Diego.  I walk into the shop and the cashier greets me with, "Hi!  How's your day going so far?"  We engage in talk about the weather and sports, I grab my drink, and sit down to do work using their free wifi with no time limit!

If you've been reading this blog for some time you know how much I love Starbucks, but now I must say: Starbucks (SBUX), you have some competition ;)