Bringing Starbucks Back To Life

Do you remember the first time you had Starbucks?

I do. It was a like tasting a piece of coffee heaven.

Espresso? Steamed milk? Who would have thought that something so simple and pure could be so amazing. Holding the cup of Starbucks coffee had an overwhelming feeling of pride and sophistication. The Baristas knew my name, my drink and made it to perfection every day I went in.

Then, I started to notice that everyone was drinking it, including 11 year old kids. Why does an 11 year old need a $4.50 cup of coffee?

Not only that, but my drink started coming out wrong. The milk was burnt, or not hot enough. They no longer took my name when I paid and the bathroom was dirty. It just, wasn't the same. My phenomenal drink and experience was now just mediocre. I stopped going every day, and would stop by once a week, then once a month, then not at all.

I don't think I was the only one who stopped going.

Suddenly, McDonald's Ice Coffee was cheap and really good. So was Dunkin' Donuts. I could get the same experience for half the price.

Starbucks is finally noticing. This week it was announce that Howard Schultz will be taking over as CEO again to turn the company around, in an open letter to his customers on Starbucks.com he discusses his original vision and how he will bring the brand back to life. Read it here: www.starbucks.com

I believe he can do it.

First, make drinks consistently good like you did years ago. Second, make your Barista's human and talkative again. Third, give me something new and different - a drink I can't get anywhere else.

If you can accomplish this - I'll be in line.