It's been a slow SBUX news week; maybe we can pick it up in the OPEN THREAD

Yes, I could be posting stories about Starbucks and single-serve coffee, but that topic bores the hell out of me (and you, too, I suspect). Discuss what interests you, SBUX-wise, is the OPEN THREAD.|| Jump to the second page of comments.

Comments

[spence]

This is the weekend starting "At home coffee". We are going to be sampling different types of coffees throughout the weekend hoping to promote bean sales. Are others doing this? What are your store plans?

[sbuxmngr]

I return to the Bux on Wed after having been on medical leave for a little under three months...

Sigh...what fun and goodness can I look forward to?

[CD]

We (customers) are getting the hard pre-sell (taking pre-orders, etc.) for Tribute blend here in Chicago. Is there a hefty quota/mandate that's come down?

[spence]

No quota on Tribute here. Nor on Via. I haven't tried Tribute but I hear it's great.

[Bananas]

Ok how about tribute? Did u guys try it? What do u think? How's the new round of coffee masters going?

[spence]

I'm a future coffee master. Whether you are taking the coffee master course or not, I suggest reading Uncommon Grounds by Mark Pendergrast. It's a great book about the history of coffee and how it's shaped our world.
Question: Okay, so I get paid to read the book and watch the video. And I happily read and study on my own time. Are partners getting paid to do their weekly coffee tastings?

[North Star Barista]

Tribute is yummy...softer and more subtle than I expected, really nice blend of all the regions.

[Bananas]

Yes you should paid through all your training hours. Coffee tastings should be done on shift.

[Jeff Tom]

Question: what was the 2010 Thanksgiving bean blend a mixture of? Sumatran/etc.....

Thanks.

[Karl Dahlquist]

Thanksgiving blend was a mix of aged Sumatra and Guatemala Blend.

I asked my store manager about Tribute Blend and she said it was in the trunk of her car, along with the new aprons. She said didnt trust leaving them in the back room...the partner tastings are next week, and then they should receive the beans soon (they only received 1 lb)

She said their goal was 37lbs to sell...which didnt seem like that much (I bought 10 lbs of Christmas blend for our office) I am sure I will be asked to buy a couple.

[erstwhile]

We've already gotten all of our initial shipment of Tribute (all in all about 20 cases of it). And partners have already started tasting it.

It's surprisingly bright, but still earthy and full-bodied. It's really interesting and not like most coffees we have past or present. I'm pleased with it (or maybe I'm just so tired of the same old that it's nice to have something altogether new).

Iced cappuccinos are going to flop on their face. I can't believe this is a promo drink.

[hearbutloud]

Iced cappuccinos are one of my favorites, but seriously, has corporate heard how many "no foam" orders we get?
This is how you sell it; the wonderful contrast of warm sweet foam against the cold iced mocha is a decadent treat, like a warm brownie with ice cream.

[Tropicalbarista]

I was covering at a store tonight, and at that store they've been complaining about their new manager (he's been there two months-ish), and someone from the regional offices came by to check up on it and told one of the baristas "the time of corporate bending over for the partners is over".

[Charleen Larson]

Oh, I'm such a lucky Rewards member...

I'm "invited to an exclusive web event with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz!"

Does this man's ego know no bounds?

[Patmooney]

Calories.

Quick question, how has displaying calorie information in some states gone down with customers? Here in Ireland, we are trying to get Starbucks to roll it out across the counties 20 odd stores in Dublin only. I'm one of the biggest Starbucks customers/fan here and I've been debating this issue with the UK & Ireland Starbucks Managing Director. Whilst he likes the idea, he would never roll it out unless it's a level playing fields and a legal requirement for everyone to follow.

Other national coffee companies, which are bigger than Starbucks are rolling it out. What has prompted this is our national broadcaster, RTE, has been running a campaign called Count Me In and on TV for the last 6 or so weeks has been focused on Starbucks, saying if you do it in parts of America, why can't you do it here.

I've taken the issue to the Starbucks Facebook page and found my comments were initially removed! This has kicked me into a full out boycott of the company I love as they appeared to censor me. I started my campaign to show Starbucks people want this information. I'll stop when they consider or trial displaying calorie information in Ireland.

Thoughts? Am I mad to be taking on Starbucks like this? It's all about choice and knowing what you are drinking/eating. I welcome calorie information and loved seeing it in New York since it was introduced.

If you would like to follow my campaign, I can do with all the support, like my facebook page http://facebook.com/CountMeInStarbucks (I have a launch video on there), follow my twitter account @CountMeInSBUX or follow the hashtag #CountMeInStarbucks.

Thanks in advance,

Patrick

[Jeff]

@Charleen- I got that email, too, but did you notice that you only get access to the "online event" IF you preorder the book??

[Charleen Larson]

@Jeff, good catch! I also wasn't too crazy about the footnote:

All of Howard Schultz's proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Starbucks Foundation and the CUP Fund, dedicated to helping people and communities in need.

While I'm not opposed to chipping in to the CUP Fund (after I read about it on this blog), the Starbucks Foundation sounds like yet another one of those corporate-ego-gratification organizations that wants to use other people's money to stoke its own PR.

"As one of our best customers, have you ever wondered what it would be like to spend time with Howard Schultz...?"

No, I never have. I'm far more concerned with the fact that no matter which store I go to these days, none of the baristas get my drink right.

I am NOT a Starbucks FAN. I am a Starbucks customer. As a marketer myself, it annoys me when companies cannot tell the difference between customers and fans. I suppose we can thank Facebook for muddying that water.

[Jeff Tom]

Kahl D: THANKS FOR THE INFO.

Patmooney,

Honestly, I think the calorie information is only of interest and relevant to a very small percentage of the population, wherever you are.

Also note, the information is available on the SB web page, if anyone is really interested in looking at it, and in this day and age where almost everyone has a smart phone, they can look it up if interested.

The truth comes down to most people just do not care that their venti frappawhatever has 500-650 calories, all sugar and fat. They just like their drink.

Now,I am all for being informed. I live in a state where the information is required to be available and posted, so I am already covered. But outside of a small, maybe vocal minority, you may not find many willing supporters, but maybe enough to get some attention.

Good luck.

[CD]

@Patmooney,

You should check the recent news from New York (or somewhere else in the eastern U.S.) They just completed a study on placing calorie/nutrition information on menu boards and my understanding is that the placement did not impact sales nor did it impact behavior (they tracked user behavior).

[annonymous]

Whoopie pie? ....really?

[.]

FYI... Not all of Howard's PROCEEDS go to the CUP fund.. His ROYALTIES go to the CUP fund.. There's a difference.

[javagirl666]

Whoopie pies are this years cupcakes. They are all over the place now.

[Lucky to be a Partner]

I have one thing to say about the book and the cup fund!
Howard could of and should of sold this company ..he has earned the right time and time again...anyone in their right mind would of long ago...Partners need to wake up and smell the coffee the bottom line he has always put partner first you may not see that but you should be grateful...donating to the cup fund the money from his book is one more example of his commitment to this comapny...some of you have such an entitlement mentality that when we are sold and you have no medical,stocks,etc...you will be wondering..Onward Howard and what a selfless thing to do You make alot of us proud...

[spence]

Whoopie pies are great. I've been enjoying them for decades. They used to be somewhat regional. Not any more.

[Grande Latte]

Lucky to be a Partner-
I agree with you, however please note that "could of and should of" should read "could have and should have". It's "have" not "of".

[Mari]

What do ya'll think Tribute pairs well with. We can't decide. We're thinking oatmeal cookies and more breakfasty items. ???

[Spresso]

Regarding Howard's book - we each get a free copy with a dedication from Howard, only available to the partner book edition... How much would someone pay for that on ebay?

[slaw275]

@Mari

I am loving it with fresh berries! We also paired it with some pumpkin loaf today, the spice complimented very well. I think what's really great is it will pair with a wide variety of food items because it is so complex!

[shift.misto]

Mari - walnuts. dry.

CD- triple digits here for lbs on tribute day #1. we've had obnoxious quotas for the last 6 months. i think its so no one has to be rewarded for hitting goal since no one can possibly hit goal. its a pretty nifty tactic really. set the bar so high that your partners feel perpetually inadequate.

hearbutloud - we are in a TimHo heavy area. i can't want to see how exhausting this gets with the ice cap catastrophe. It would be the same if taco bell decided to sell macaroni and cheese, and call the meal a big mac. really corporate? thx..

[ExOhioBarista]

I have a question about requesting holidays off (though I suppose it's a moot point as I am no longer a partner):

Back when I worked for the bux, I had requested Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off, as my observation of them required me to not work. I had put them on the calendar and told my manager about two months in advance. When I checked the schedule, my SM had put me down to work, and informed me that if I couldn't work, it was up to me to find someone. Was/is this company policy? I was having a hard time convincing people to cover (even though I was the guy to pick up someone else's shift at the drop of a hat at my store or another in my district), and my manager only relented after I asked my shift to speak to our SM for me. Was my SM being difficult or is everyone else in this boat?

[baristamclane]

ExOhioBarista, that is a situation where I would have contacted the DM or business conduct, because I think there could have been a legitimate discrimnation allegation to be made. I have been under the impression (although it does not apply because I don't belong to a faith, so I am probably wrong) that your employer is legally obligated to give you time off if you request it for the purpose of observing a religious event.

[Judy]

I love the calorie count displays, which I've found so far in NYC and suburban DC. It was eye-opening to discover that those scones are 400+ calories! Yes, I know I could have looked it up, but it's so much more convenient when it's right there on the menu board.

[shift.misto]

ExOhio - i have heard stories from other baristas that sound similar. I'm not an SM, so I wont pretend to know every detail of scheduling, but I do know that some SM's are more considerate than others when it comes to schedules, and some don't take their partners into consideration much at all. My SM literally bends over backwards for our schedules more than she needs to, but that's why we do what we can to help her as much as possible. Especially since you asked for time off way in advance and it was for a religious observance, I think I would have gone to the DM.

[shift.misto]

Judy - marshmallow dream bars are only 190 calories. comparatively, that makes them even more delicious! :)

[spence]

I don't think it should have been difficult to give you the Jewish holidays off especially since you gave notice. However, not because they are holidays. Many Christians request Christmas off and don't get it.

[shift.misto]

spence, i really don't think christians asking for christmas off is the same, but that is a whole nother horse, with many more factors.

back to the point..

"The law requires an employer or other covered entity to reasonably accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs or practices, unless doing so would cause more than a minimal burden on the operations of the employer's business. This means an employer may be required to make reasonable adjustments to the work environment that will allow an employee to practice his or her religion."

http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/religion.cfm

'burden' here i think is the deciding factor. I am going to assume that there was not a flood of Yom Kippur requests made by other employees, in which case the burden of scheduling the day off for you should not have been significant. Considering the fact that this company is, after all, on the top 100 jobs list and waving liberal flag of social empowerment, i don't see any reason that your boss should not have been compelled to give you the day off. again, all signs point to 'see DM'.

[Sa.]

Question--- As a manager can you fire someone without documentation? We have a new manager and he says that if anyone is more then 10 minutes late to their shift it will NOT be documented; they will be told to go home and their final paycheck will be called for regardless if they have attendance issues in the past. Same thing for cell phones. If we are caught using our cell phones during a non-break time we will be sent home (no documentation) and our final check will be called even for the first offense. While I don't advocate using cell phones while working, or being late, seems a bit of a HR nightmare for Starbucks...

[javagirl666]

But what if those holidays fell on say a Thursday, and I already have 3 partners who as part of their eligibilty, are not available to work..am I supposed to run 4 partners down to accomodate this request?? THAT would be a burden to my business. And re: the whole Christmas for Christians thing??? Who are you to decide which religous beliefs should be acknowledged?

[Russ]

All religious beliefs are acknowledged, and you must do your best to grant days off if requested to observe them. If you are having trouble staffing your store you might want to request better availability, or reach out to other stores.

[Waltie]

"While I don't advocate using cell phones while working, or being late, seems a bit of a HR nightmare for Starbucks..."

Not at all. You have been warned, so don't be late or use your cell phone at work. Starbucks is an at-will employer, so that means that they can fire whomever whenever, so long as it doesn't break any specific laws. So if you break the rules (and being late and using your cell phone are significant violations, in my opinion), you can absolutely be terminated on the spot. Why not?

At this point, you've been warned, so the mature thing to do is to make sure you don't break the rules. That's a good policy to follow even when you *haven't* been warned, of course.

[spence]

@shiftmisto.
Wow. Can't believe you thought that; never mind putting it in print.

[baristamclane]

I agree with Waltie. Your phone is not even supposed to be turned on during your shift, let alone on your person. I wouldn't push your luck, unless you want to be made an example for your fellow partners.

[Bananas]

Tribute pairs wonderfully with rf cinn. Coffee cake. It also goes well with chocolate brownie.

[Dottie]

70 pounds of Tribute blend was added to every store's target...so now my target is 170 pounds...how are some of yours so low?

[slaw275]

@Dottie,
I hear you! "here's your goal, ummm lets double that to get your new goal" i don't get it... I guess some areas must be a little more relaxed than others if somebody posted on here that their goal was 37 lbs or something.

[Caffeinator]

We had less than an inch of snow in the Seattle area last week, so I went to work. Then some stupid executive sent out an email that everyone who stayed home would get paid. This didn't go over too well with the majority of us who made it into the office and were doing the work of those who stayed home. Why would they reward people for staying home when there was barely a dusting of snow? Some "executives" are so clueless!

[shift.misto]

spence, can't beleive i thought what? that everyone and their mom wanting Christmas off was different than one person asking for a holiday observance off? lets face it, most people don't ask for holidays off for religious reasons. When someone does, it should be taken into consideration. at my store the general rule is if you have kids, you get the day off. if you don't, you work. because for most people that is what those days are about. but if someone asked for it of because they had religious obligations, it would take priority. if you can't separate santa from jesus carry on being as shocked as you want.

[I <3 music]

How many Christians are only Christians on Christmas

[spence]

New topic: The new goals are going to be: Increase at home coffee (beans or via)sales by 10%.
Let's throw some ideas around.

[baristamclane]

I have a question: If one were to buy a Starbucks card in a foreign country, is the minimum purchase still $5 (in local currency), and could any balance leftover be used in the US?

I ask, because I have someone buying me a few as souveniers during their travels. I know I could call SSC, but this is more fun.