Visit to Starbucks HQ

Many thanks to Anne Saunders (Starbucks CMO) for a cool visit to HQ. Here is the Lost Art of Marketing in that the company is absolutely saturated in the culture of coffee. Once, most great companies were like Starbucks, but over time, mergers and acquisitions decayed the cultures and hurt the marketing. Companies need to work hard to create a mood and passion like Harley Davidson, Pixar and of course Starbucks. In case you were wondering..the master taster (best job in the world?) told me that Guatamalan made in a french press is the best coffee on earth. I can't tell if it was the mood and passion of HQ or what! but yes..the Guatamalan seemed to be the best cup of coffee I ever had. One piece of advice - they call their special blend - "black apron". Huh? They should do the grand cru or special reserve thing like wines. The master described the way to make a $10 esspresso which I hope to try some day if Starbucks would only launch it. Chateau bean private reserve 1961 anyone?