For the second time in a row, I’ve decided to write about coffee—an escapism of sorts. Luckily, there have been several interesting developments, particularly concerning Starbucks (which you must know by now is one of my favorite topics…). One such development, although not the most significant, is the
Gimmicks aside, the coffee quality is just plain bad in starbucks. For the first time in over 15-20 years, my wife and I have 0$ in the app and have no intention to drink coffee from sbux.
Oct 24, 2023·edited Oct 24, 2023Liked by Gad Allon
Prof Allon,
I've always believed that Speed X Quality is not a constant. Both can be increased if we change the way we work. While this has been built through experience & heuristics, your in-depth analysis of Starbuck's operational strategy to improve efficiency through new machines & processes is an endorsement of that belief. But this brings us to a larger question - where are we going, as mankind, by doing things faster and faster? Saving 30 secs in serving coffee, sub-10 mins delivery of groceries and stuff. God hasn't crunched our time from 24 hours!
But one thing is clear from your article. You don't like Starbucks coffee :)
your description of Starbucks’ decision to improve efficiency at a high financial cost was quite interesting. Further, I was amazed to learn about the 383+ billion different combinations for a drink. In addition to grouping tools more closely together and acquiring Clover machines, I wanted to add that Starbucks filed a patent this year for an automated coffee machine. Since you explained that customers are more prone to opt for extra toppings online where the add-ons are easier to access, I wonder if Starbucks should incorporate more self-order screens in their stores as many fast-food chains have already done. This would not only increase their $1 billion sales from add-ons but also minimize the role of the cashiers. If a self-order option could be linked directly to an automated coffee machine in the future, Starbucks could eliminate much of the work of store employees and boost the efficiency for their highly personalizable drinks.
Great timing as some recently fired disgruntled employee has 'supposedly' posted all their recipes in X. https://twitter.com/IamKalyanRaksha/status/1713008559473234161
Gimmicks aside, the coffee quality is just plain bad in starbucks. For the first time in over 15-20 years, my wife and I have 0$ in the app and have no intention to drink coffee from sbux.
Prof Allon,
I've always believed that Speed X Quality is not a constant. Both can be increased if we change the way we work. While this has been built through experience & heuristics, your in-depth analysis of Starbuck's operational strategy to improve efficiency through new machines & processes is an endorsement of that belief. But this brings us to a larger question - where are we going, as mankind, by doing things faster and faster? Saving 30 secs in serving coffee, sub-10 mins delivery of groceries and stuff. God hasn't crunched our time from 24 hours!
But one thing is clear from your article. You don't like Starbucks coffee :)
Professor Allon,
your description of Starbucks’ decision to improve efficiency at a high financial cost was quite interesting. Further, I was amazed to learn about the 383+ billion different combinations for a drink. In addition to grouping tools more closely together and acquiring Clover machines, I wanted to add that Starbucks filed a patent this year for an automated coffee machine. Since you explained that customers are more prone to opt for extra toppings online where the add-ons are easier to access, I wonder if Starbucks should incorporate more self-order screens in their stores as many fast-food chains have already done. This would not only increase their $1 billion sales from add-ons but also minimize the role of the cashiers. If a self-order option could be linked directly to an automated coffee machine in the future, Starbucks could eliminate much of the work of store employees and boost the efficiency for their highly personalizable drinks.