I’m so thrilled, excited, enthused, amused, and delighted to come work at Starbucks every morning. Now even more than before because I was just totally surprised that one of the Baristas actually made a special drink for me. But she doesn’t want to tell me what’s in it. This morning as I stepped into my Starbucks in Yonkers, I asked for my regular boring Cafe Americano, or what we commonly know as coffee. And guess what? The Barista turned around, and created something totally off the charts.
I’m still trying to figure out what she put in it. I love this special mix because I don’t need to add any sugar. So the sugary taste is already there, but it’s very discrete. It tastes like as if she has put some sort of Khalua in it, it has this caramel flavor also. As I’m writing this, I’m still sipping into my Special Starbucks Mix. But the point I want to make here is the way the Baristas treat their clients, always surprising us with something new. They’re always surprising us with something new and different, and lighting up our days with something off the hook. They area always giving out free trial drinks, and sharing their love in the store.
Now, let’s take a look at this a little closer. Ok? Ok. Is it about the fact that I paid for something of lower value and got something of higher value? Nah…I don’t think so. I think it’s more of the experience factor. It is the fact that no matter where you go, Starbucks lets you freely work in their stores. It gives you the free wi-fi access, and you get to meet some of the most interesting people. It’s the environment and a combination of a great product, beautifully designed and presented.
Like my grandmother used to say: “Son, it doesn’t matter if you are selling stones. If you have the creativity and the desire to make them look beautiful by artistically painting them and displaying them, then you have a great product” I remember these words from my mother’s mother, Isabel. Everyday I go out, and I see how to maximize the experience of all our clients, and how to make them raving fans of our services. It just chases me every morning, to wake and think of ways I could really do the same thing that Starbucks did with me. I think you give yourself a great sense of living and contributing, and helping other people get the best, and only the best of you.
It’s really amazing to see a smile in your client’s face. To see the smile of satisfaction, of approval, of love for your company, of excitement to what you do. No matter what you have to go through to deliver only the best you can give. At the end of the day, you sit back and say to yourself: did I really contribute to her life? did I really played my best game? is this what I’m doing worthy of my time?
Thank you Starbucks, thank you all the Baristas that make our stay in your stores a memorable one. Life is really about appreciating these moments, being thankful for all the great people that are part of your life. I hope this brief message gets to you, and make you find ways to amaze the heck out of the people that are around you. Yes, that’s the key, surprise them with something unexpected. Add some spice and variety to your everyday routine, break out of that old cycle of your boring routine. Do something crazy, do something outrageous, like Tony Robbins say.
Have a glorious day!