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Starbucks Eye Drops

My Twitter from this morning:

Now, thanks to Josh Brickey....

Thanks Josh!  You rock man.

BUNCH-O-STUFF

My view:

 

It's called a BRAIN DUMP.  And man, do I need one.  So I'm spread out all over my office....chillin' on my couch doing some sorting, emailing, REM listening, and trying to figure out what's next to go on the list of "things Scott is doing that he shouldn't be doing."

So anyway...thought I'd share what's rattlin' around my noggin' right now along with some links worth checking out.  

• Leaving on Wednesday for Catalyst Conference in Atlanta.  Will you be there?  I feel like I'm heading to a giant family reunion...  Except I'm actually looking forward to it!
  
  
• How to write awesome headlines (So people will read your stuff)
  
  
• Free download of new song from Fellowship Church's new worship recording.
  
  
• Looking forward to speaking at this event in November.  I've heard so many great things about this church!
  
  
• Really enjoying using this program for mind-mapping!  I'm now using it for all sermon prep and project management. 
  
  
• Just downloaded new Anberlin and Thievery Corporation.  They're both great!
  
  
• Was recently asked to write an endorsement for Dave Gibbon's new book The Monkey and The Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third Culture Church.  Just received the manuscript and can't wait to read it!  I really, really appreciate Dave's heart.  Hoping his book messes me up a bit!  Check out Dave's blog here.
  
  
• Oh yeah....  I'll be in Las Vegas for a couple of days next week.  Any show and restaurant recommendations? 

That's it......for now. 

Back to it.

Is Your Starbucks Closing?

Here it is ladies and gentlemen!  The "official" list of Starbucks stores that will be closing next year.

And WHY do I seem to be in such a good mood? 

Because I'm in luck!  Even though they are closing down 16 Chicagoland stores, NONE of my "regulars" are included.

Praise the Lord and pass the skim!

How about yours?

Download the list by clicking here. (.pdf)

P.S. Sorry to all of you who are losing your favorite Starbucks.  Seriously....  That's a bummer.

(HT: Mark Miller)

New Starbucks Machines are Wokin' and Rollin'

Woked into my "Thursday" Starbucks this morning when lo and behold.........brand new machines! 

With Chinese woks on top.

$16k/each.  Better shots.  Shorter than the old ones, to encourage conversation with the baristas (which I'm sure they are really excited about.)

Hmmm... (Updated)

Update: Here's the skinny.  (Thanks Paul.)

Me (NOT) So Honey!

Honey Nut Cheerios
Honey BBQ Sauce
Honey and Oats Granola Bars
Honey Buns
Honey Whole Wheat Bread
Honey and Ginseng Green Tea
Honey Dijon Chicken

But HONEY LATTE?  C'mon...

This is exactly what went through my head five minutes ago when someone approached my table here at Starbucks to offer me a sample of their newest drink - a honey latte.

So here I am sipping it...........

Sip #1: "Hmmm.....not very good." 

Sip #2: "Still not very good.  The honey aftertaste is buggin' me.  This just isn't right."

Sip #3: "Ok, no more.  I'm done."

Is this why they're getting rid of the almond syrup?

C'mon now.

What's next?  Lemon Latte?  Taco Latte? 

Back to writing.

Go Howard!

No more breakfast sandwiches. 

New WiFi plan.  (Including two hours of free usage every day...)

Shutting down 7,100 stores on February 26th to retrain 135,000 in-store employees and managers on how to create the perfect espresso shot. 

Slowing down US expansion.

Speeding up International expansion. 

Ladies and gentlemen...

Howard is back!

In case you don't know, Starbucks Chairman, Howard Schultz, returned last month to the role of company CEO to oversee a turnaround after the company's sales growth hit an all time low last quarter.

This is interesting for me to watch.

For one, I am a big fan of Howard Schultz and the Starbucks brand.  To be honest, I want to see the company do well.  And no, I am NOT a stockholder (unfortunately...).  The fact is, I have faith in Howard's leadership.  He's demonstrated that he knows how to create a successful brand, and I'm pretty certain he is going to bring the company back to where they need to be.

Secondly, I am intrigued by corporate change and turnaround.  If you know The Orchard's story, you'll understand why.  Realigning an organization with its mission and values after it has gotten off track is certainly NOT an easy task (imagine the challenge with an organization as large as Starbucks!). 

Changing an organization's culture requires BIG CHANGE and a commitment to getting back to the basics.  And this is exactly what it seems like Howard is doing.

Rock on Howard.

And by the way, Howard, in case you're reading this...  How about free refills on brewed coffee?  Please!?

I need it.

(via)

Star-BAR-ucks

Saw this setup for the first time at a newly opened Starbucks near our office:

Interesting concept...  Not sure I'd want to sit at the bar, but I bet it's a great place to do shots! 

Like Father, Like Son

(Thanks Kenny & Kate for getting Alex started on the right path...)