Can Starbucks Deliver Perfection?
Yesterday in an unprecedented move – Starbucks closed all of its stores in the United States early to retrain baristas on espresso basics. We all know that Starbucks has been under increasing criticism and profitability challenges, but will three hours of training, a pep-rally and a new promise do the trick? Only time will tell.
Today, Starbucks opened its doors with a new promise – “Your drink should be perfect, every time. If not, let us know and we’ll make it right.” According to Starbucks Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Schultz, the 135,000 baristas who were trained pledged to uphold "the uncompromising standards and quality that have made Starbucks the world's coffee leader."
Given what we have experienced recently at my favorite Starbucks, it is about time that they focused on the basics. We only hope that this is not a “one-off” training event that ends up delivering short on the promise to deliver perfection.