Props to Allison Ryder: Ive never read a more on-point explanation for why I still (live in denial) and consider myself a partner (1327749!!), though Ive been out of the green apron for more years now than I was in it. Now, I know that Howie changed some things post-recession, but so did everyone else. And as far as I can tell, the Bux still comes out on top. Why? Because its about the people, not the beans. Being a Starbucks barista is not actually about making coffee; its about making someones day, every day. And you do that by being the best damn barista on the bar. You do that by never, ever burning someones soy milk; by mentally tracking five drink orders while still telling your regular how great her new hairstyle is, or asking how his job interview went yesterday (and meaning it). You do it by counting the seconds it takes a shot to pull, and recalibrating the beast of a machine when its 1 second too fast or slow; by dumping the cup when you realize you forgot to make it nonfat and starting over; by not judging someones request for extra-extra-extra caramel because maybe they just got dumped or dropped their phone or wrecked their car and they need it. I wont lie. Ive got a grad degree and a pretty good gig, but on my most tiring work days, I still feel the impulse to drop the grown-up salary and career track and just go home to the Siren again. To Allisons point, SBUX remains the only place Ive ever worked where productivity is the last line of the mission statement, yet somehow seemed to generate cash much more easily. Its the only place I worked where I was more than an employee; I was a fanatic. Ive sat in corporate meetings just this past week, setting goals about building a tribe amongst customers, but knowing deep-down that the companies that hold these meetings have probably already missed the mark. Thats why, though weve got an office Keurig upstairs, I take daily joy in stopping into my local Bux for a cup of black tea. Because, even after all this time, I harbor a secret jealousy for those faces across the counter, because they still get to sling grinds for the best organization on the planet.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:45:22 +0000