Starbucks Wants Your Idea
March 21st, 2008 (2:00pm) Mike Gunderloy 3 CommentsTweet This
What mobile web worker has not spent time in a Starbucks somewhere, nursing a caffeinated drink while making a WiFi connection? And who has not had some idea about how to improve the experience? Well, now you can get those ideas straight to the company via the new My Starbucks Idea site – customer feedback combined with some light social networking action.
Anyone can enter an idea in a number of categories, from “Coffee & Espresso Drinks” through “Social Responsibility.” You can also vote on and discuss others’ ideas – top place right now is going to ideas about rewards for frequent sippers and (of course) free Wi-Fi everywhere. The real test will come down the line, when the company has to choose between implementing ideas, letting people down gently, or just ignoring the input.
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We are doing the same thing internally with voting and comments that lets system users make and contribute to new ideas. Its the same problem..with limited resources what is the best way to let people know that you value and want their thoughts but realistically only a tiny percentage will get done?
Actually I’ve never nursed a caffeinated beverage while getting my WiFi on at Starbucks… why would I? Other coffee houses offer free wifi? I like their coffee but im not paying for WiFi per month while I have internet at home or through my blackberry.
They’re certainly not going to just ignore the input… looks like at least one of the first ideas goes live next week:
http://godinthegarden.com/2008/04/starbucks-idea-you-heard-it-he.html