A crowd of motorcycles, from Triumphs to Harleys to Hondas, cool quietly in front of Starbucks in one of Connecticut's most upscale, suburban town centers....


West Hartford is not for the weak of wallet, and neither is Starbucks. But inside the cafe sit bearded, braided and bold men, proud of their colors and conversing passionately about girls and bikes while sipping espresso. What gives?
Explains one biker, there just aren't many places in communities anymore where people can get together and just talk. Another speaks the Starbucks mantra: It isn't work, it isn't home (and it isn't a bar).
Mind you, these words are not being read from a corporate brochure or being spoken by a Starbucks agent of marketing. They are words out of customers' mouths. These customers are brand evangelists spreading positive word of mouth (WOM).
This is a marketer's dream come true. Customers are quoting the Starbucks purpose, the Third Place Experience built around "One cup of coffee, one customer at a time."
I often write and talk about defining success as exceeding a customer's wants, needs and desires by creating great customer (and employee) experiences. I call it "The Happiness Quotient." Starbucks does it better than most. We should all aspire to create great people experiences. It's good for people and good for business.


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Bikers & Starbucks: Who Would Have Thunk It?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lewis Green, Founder and Managing Principal of L&G Business Solutions, LLC, (https://www.l-gsolutions.com) brings three decades of business management experience. L&G Business Solutions, LLC, represents his third company. Additionally, he held management positions with GTE Discovery Publications, Puget Sound Energy and Starbucks Coffee Company.

In addition to his business experiences, Lewis is a published author and a former journalist, sports writer and travel writer. His feature articles have appeared in books, magazines and newspapers throughout North America. He has taught in public schools; lobbied for organizations both in state capitols and in Washington, D.C.; delivered workshops, seminars, and training programs; and made presentations to audiences in colleges, businesses and professional organizations. Lewis also has served as a book editor with a large publisher, the Executive Editor overseeing four magazines, and a newspaper department editor. Lewis served eight years in the U.S. Air Force, where he received the Air Force Commendation Medal.