For any brand that builds community in real life, doing so online is a natural.
Starbucks wants to be your community gathering spot. In many cases, it is. But I feel Starbucks has a ways to go online.
Here’s what I can “discover” about my local Starbucks on the company’s site:
I’d like to discover more than that. I’d like to see a list of the people working there, with a little bio on each. They know my name. I want to know their names. And why not open that functionality up to the regulars, as well.
The web is social. Coffee is social. This is a solution waiting to happen.
Frankly, if my daughter worked at that Starbucks, I’d rather NOT have her bio and name online.
I know the interweb2.0.pi demands we crawl all up in each other’s business, but really – I don’t need to know the hobbies and favorite indie bands of the kid pouring my drink. Can we please draw that line? Pretty please? For pete’s sake (or, in the case of people’s kids, for safety’s sake), can we keep SOME mystery in life, somewhere?
David,
Starbucks built a cool Google Gadget last year that allowed you to arrange meetings with friends at your local SBs. My pal Sean blogged about it.
http://www.twofortyeight.com/?p=85
Their site might be lacking, but SBs has definitely been experimenting with more social networking tools.
Tim
I hear you, Duane. Privacy concerns come up at the client table all the time. How about the server’s first name and no revealing personal info? In addition to that, what I’m asking for is a more immersive community experience. A bulletin board, an event listing (if the store has events), links to community news and advocacy groups, etc.