I was at one of its outlet in the Central Business District (CBD) yesterday.
The building in which this outlet is located houses the headquarters of some of the world's biggest fund managers and corporations. Many of the people working here are very well dressed. Sharp tailored power suits, branded handbags and jewelries, watches that costs from a few thousands grand to tens of thousands, Mont Blanc pens hanging on the men shirts' pockets, Cartier organizers (is there one?).
One would assumes that paying $8 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks is no sweat for most of the people here.
Now, what's special about this outlet was this.
Would you believe this?
Is Starbucks trying to make coming to Starbucks more fun? Is this a test on human behavior? Did they put it there knowing very well that no one will ask them about it?
Of course, most of the people who see it will just dismiss it as a gimmick, a teaser or something that's not true. And you can bet that there will be a lot of regular customers who don't even see it day in day out.
However, the thought just strike me, "What if someone actually walks up to the staff and ask them to buy him a drink?" How will the staff react?
The next thought that came to me was, "Has anyone actually tried asking?"
If the sticker is a teaser for something, what would it be?
So the naughty me decides to put it to the test.
I took a photo of it and walked to the staff at the counter.
"Hi, I saw this outside your door and would like to find if this is true?"
I flipped my phone and showed it to the lady.
She looked at it and flustered. She quickly called her manager and showed her the photo.
The manager came and explained to me that this is actually for their Starbucks card loyalty program where you get a free drink after clocking 10 cups of purchase.
Aha! So that is what the sticker is all about.
After leaving the place, it dawned on me that my second question has not been answered. Has anyone actually tried asking?
Perhaps there was and they all got the same answer as I did.
What if the manager turns the whole incident into a conversation?
If I'm indeed the first person ever to ask her, isn't she curious why I did what I did? While the sticker actually refers to their loyalty program, what if she decides to reward me with a free drink for being the first ever to ask? What positive experience will I have about Starbucks culture and experience? What if she turns this into a story and share it with the rest of the customers?
If I'm not the first to ask, does she has a story to share with me? Perhaps telling me I'm too late while showing me a photo of the first person who asked and then offering me a drink at half price.
What if you could create an experience for your customers?