Starbucks Has Won Me Over Again!

As some of you may know, and for those of you who don’t, I am a BIG fan of Starbucks.

The funny thing is that it’s not so much for the coffee as much as it is for the environment. I have always seemed to get my creative juices flowing at Starbucks. It’s something about the smell of freshly brewed coffee and conversations going on in the background that helps to stimulate my creativity and productivity.

Not too many companies spend as much time and effort and thought developing a brand and an experience that sticks as Starbucks. Similar to Chick-fil-A, the customer experience has always been exceptional. I’ve also noticed that once a customer’s face becomes familiar at a local Starbucks, they become somewhat of a friend or acquaintance to the baristas. The baristas remember your name, your beverage of choice, and almost any other unique or personal information you are willing to disclose to them. This is something that few employees at any business are willing to do. And it goes a long way in creating brand loyalty.

Recently, I’ve stumbled upon a new Starbucks favorite. My recent crave has been met with Starbucks’ new seasonal latte, the Gingerbread Latte. I was offered a free sample during one of my visits to Starbucks about a week ago, and I fell in love. lol. So now my occasional visit to my favorite Starbucks location is accompanied by a purchase of a Grande Gingerbread Latte w/ added cinnamon. This is a pretty big deal for me, only because I rarely try anything new at Starbucks. I’m not really a big fan of coffees, so when I find one that I like, I usually stick to it until death-do-us-part. So having the opportunity to sample this Christmas seasonal latte was indeed a bonus. Now I’m hooked. Well, at least until Christmas is over.

Are there any experiences you’ve had lately with a company, organization, or cause that has “won you over”?