Hville Blast’s Post

This weekend, while randomly reading up about different companies, I came across a very weird psychological strategy Starbucks uses to make customers feel at ease: Starbucks takes a huge amount of effort to setup a cafe to give you the 'cozy' feeling. Many of their coffee shops bear a resemblance to a library, where one feels welcome to stay, read, and relax for as long as they need. Several factors play a part in this, like Starbucks' high ceilings (low ceilings is psychologically interpreted as being 'confined', warm room colors, and its noise level which, for many people, is neither too quiet nor too loud. A research from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign actually found that noise at a level of 70 decibels, which is similar to coffee house ambiance or a television playing in the background, improved cognitive performance than noise level at 50 decibels, which is like the hum of a refrigerator in a kitchen. Anything greater than 70db, and it reduces! Starbucks chooses comfortable chairs and interesting pieces of art to enhance the homey environment. Ever wondered why you haven't seen a formal square tables with edges at a Starbucks? 1. Round tables make the setting more informal and 'social'. Which is the ivbe, Starbucks is going for! 2. No social 'hierarchy'. Ever been in group of 3 or more, went to a cafe or restaurant with rectangular tables? You must have notiecd that the conversation flow gets a bit difficult and it indirectly promotes discussions between 'sub groups' (i.e. people on either sides). Also, there are a few preferred seats (designated normally for the head of the family!)- Starbucks' round tables also reduce this, thereby making everyone 'equal' I am sure everyone has heard of the 'great round table' of King Arthur, the medieval legendary king of Britain. King Arthur wanted the knights in his court to be considered equal; he did not want them fighting over status or rank. The Round Table was suitable for them because there was no 'head' of the table since it was round- et voila! 3. Round tables are more welcoming than those with square edges, and people look less alone while seated at a round table. Interesting way to think about the 'optics'! #starbucks #strategy #business #psychology #cafe

GIS is a transformative tool that really uncovers many aspects of society, from where we live, work, shop, go for a coffee, past time, relax, eat etc, and how those factors interact with each other spatially and influence social economic opportunities and outcomes.

In this inaugural article, I delve into the first Question No One Asked: where can you find the most Starbucks in Los Angeles?

https://lnkd.in/eC-7rwRT This writer's discussion of how Barnes and Noble is finally getting it right and Starbucks is getting it wrong offers a universally applicable message for any organization. Your focus needs to be on the humans you serve and creating a more human experience...not on how quickly and cheaply you can provide a product at scale...and then overcharge for it.

#malls #arcades #retail #realestate This is a fairly interesting write-up from Bloomberg about a well-known Japanese arcade chain expanding into America, but also, about how malls are keeping themselves relevant by focusing on attractions and experiences. Although in the Gulf, We didn't have a excess of shopping malls, we've seen dramatic changes in shopping habits, making retail unsustainable and that's led to more dining and entertainment options, everything from indoor rollercoasters to Michelin star restaurants pop up in malls in this region. What do you think? https://lnkd.in/d2ixp7Q3

  RETAIL, RELIGION and POLITICS: In Vistage Groups there’s a saying that CEOs are invited, but human beings show up. Every business founder is a complex human being, and their talents, beliefs and values are reflected to varying degrees in the enterprises they create. An interesting example of this is John Wanamaker who founded a chain of early department stores that changed how Americans shopped. His values, religious beliefs and political persuasion are embedded in the company he created and underpinned its success.  I hope you’ll take few minutes to explore “What a Hundred-Year-Old Department Store Can Tell Us About the Overlap of Retail, Religion and Politics.”

For the first time, Starbucks is opening in my city! A city where Annapoorna coffee holds dear, I’m seriously looking forward for this new opening, which has a desi touch in its building, unlike its usual one, Starbucks became famous not only for coffee, but, actually for providing a solution to a problem, that people didn’t know existed! The presence of a space, where people can hang around, which needn’t be a house or an office, And Starbucks found the necessity of this place, built one, and the rest is history! Similarly, find the problem, which your audience are not aware in the first place, approach them with a solution for the same, and build your authority in doing so! Follow Yashwanthi Loganathan ⭐️ Loganathan for more such interesting contents #storytelling  #PersonalBranding 

Corporate culture matters, How management tend to treat employees and give them freedom impact the performance for sure. The biggest threat so far i have observed and read is Cultural unstability that brings in Dissatisfaction. #corporateculture #starbucks #starbuckscommunity

Here is my latest article in Spacing Magazine! Have you noticed a decrease in community space in your neighbourhoods? Feeling like you've got no where to go? You're probably experiencing the decline of 'third places'. After a recent renovation made my local Starbucks significantly less welcoming to customers looking to lounge, I was inspired to explore the decline of social spaces outside of the home and work. Starbucks has for decades prided itself on providing this third place, and has earned a brand image building community space through their locations. But recent statements they've made and location design changes that go against their purported brand ethos reveal that this may no longer be their priority. I hope to remind people that local community hubs are where local news, events, updates, and concerns can be openly voiced; but these spaces must be community cultivated and not just community occupied. #starbucks #thirdplaces #thirdspaces #communityspace #coffee #brand #brandimage #brandethos #missionstatement #brandidentity Howard Schultz Dylan Reid Matthew Blackett Scott Beffort Sid Lee Leo Burnett Colin Bohm Noah Segal John Phillipson Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) Another Axis Consulting Ana Serrano Dave Savoie Shannon Loftus Jon Medow John Fox Hannah Alper Mark Stinson Patrick Tobin Tonya Surman Jean-François Légaré Ana Cronkite Sue Riedl Lisa Towle Connie Sarvanandan Eric Meerkamper Jana Meerkamper Claire Meerkamper Matthew Feaver Farhad Shariff Paul Stock Rob Dick Vinod Rajasekaran Lucas Stein Kent Bridges Stacey Munro Canadian Urban Institute (CUI)

Have you ever wondered why each visit to Starbucks gives you that feeling to return time and again? The answer lies in the masterful blend of visionary leadership and meticulous brand crafting, pioneered by former CEO, Howard Schultz. Schultz's vision of Starbucks as a "third place for conviviality" beyond home and office has been brilliantly realized as a space for connection and relaxation, embodying a unique ambience to attract customers. Central to Starbucks' success is its powerful tangible brand elements appealing to all senses - sight, sound (music), taste, aromatic scent, feel. The iconic green siren logo symbolises both tradition and modernity, a feeling of attraction, alluring charm evoking warmth and connection. The tagline "To inspire and nurture the human spirit" reflects its dedication to community and conviviality. The consistent use of green signifies freshness and environmental consciousness, reinforcing Starbucks' image as a welcoming, trendy, and socially responsible brand. The brand’s success is amplified by maintaining consistency in its sensory appeal at its outlets. The inviting decor, consistent color design, lively music and cheerful employees create a multisensory experience that resonates with customers, impinging its identity and values to the pampered customer. The employee behind the counter who recommended me the ginger ale variant of coffee, even promised a free replacement should it not appeal to my taste buds! What can marketers learn from Starbucks’ approach? How can businesses weave their magic for customers, to simply leave them like Oliver Twist, asking for more? Share your thoughts. #BrandStrategy #CustomerExperience #MarketingInsights #Starbucks #strategy #leadership #innovation #marketing #slimsolutions