I am not a business-savvy person. I don't know how the stock market works; I don't even completely understand the true state of the economy right now.
But I know enough to know that I'm really, really lucky to have the job I do.
I'm 19, working almost full-time, making enough to have freedom with what I do and buy.
I have stock options available, as well as tuition reimbursement should I go into a field that would further my job. I have my own health, dental, and vision insurance.
I've seen people, some in their mid-40's and up, talking about trying to get jobs at Target. I'm sure these people at one point had a thriving career. And now, they're taking jobs like they did when they were my age, most likely making considerably less than they need to continue their current lifestyles.
I don't keep up too terribly much with Starbucks gossip, but I've heard enough from customers and people higher up in the company than me to know that there are a lot of changes going on, just like in most other companies right now.
Tons of people are getting laid off, labor is being cut and hours are being cut back for a lot of people, regardless of position or availability.
I'm pretty sure that every company out there having to make changes like this aren't happy with them. No one wants to lay off people.
But Starbucks is doing what they can to keep their profits as high as possible to ensure the people they do have can stay employed, and that possibly in the future, the people laid off can come back.
Instead of getting rid of benefits for part-time partners, stock options, or tuition reimbursement, like I'm sure it would be fairly easy (and profitable) to do, Starbucks is trying to create options that customers can afford.
Lots of people are having to cut out habits like eating out, movies, and obviously, Starbucks. So keeping those regular customers while trying to bring in new ones is difficult.
Having to make room for whatever instant coffee we may sell, and having one more number to track with the promotion of our value breakfast options may be a pain.
But if it means I have a job, I think I can live with that.
February 17, 2009
February 11, 2009
Textaholics
I will be the first to admit my addiction to texting. I've never been a fan of talking on the phone, and it's a lot easier to ignore people you don't want to talk to through texting.
On average, I probably use about 1,500 texts a month. Not a lot, but probably more than average.
I've had months where I've pushed 5,000 texts, but that doesn't happen too often now that I'm working a lot.
My sister, however, is a complete textaholic. In one month's time, she has accumulated 17,566 text messages.
What. Just. What.
How can you possibly have that many people to talk to? Or that much to even say? I honestly cannot wrap my mind around that.
If you do the math, that breaks down to about 1 text a minute for 14 hours a day, for 30 days.
That is absolutely insane. If we didn't have an unlimited text messaging plan (AT&T had no idea what they were getting into when they gave us that), my sister's texting bill alone would cost more than my parents' MORTGAGE.
I am baffled.
On average, I probably use about 1,500 texts a month. Not a lot, but probably more than average.
I've had months where I've pushed 5,000 texts, but that doesn't happen too often now that I'm working a lot.
My sister, however, is a complete textaholic. In one month's time, she has accumulated 17,566 text messages.
What. Just. What.
How can you possibly have that many people to talk to? Or that much to even say? I honestly cannot wrap my mind around that.
If you do the math, that breaks down to about 1 text a minute for 14 hours a day, for 30 days.
That is absolutely insane. If we didn't have an unlimited text messaging plan (AT&T had no idea what they were getting into when they gave us that), my sister's texting bill alone would cost more than my parents' MORTGAGE.
I am baffled.
February 10, 2009
Futurama
We are living in what people from the past would consider 'the future'.
Now, I don't remember much before, say, 1989, seeing as how I wasn't alive.
But I have heard these great tales from years ago (you know, like, the 70's), of all these great technological advances the world would see by the year 2000. Elementary schools taught of the vast differences we would see in just 30 years' time.
Well, as you may or may not know, 9 years has passed, and I still don't feel like I'm living with the Jetsons. If you've heard any of these stories yourself, you would know they contained these amazing inventions, such as hover cars, great cities on the moon and other such planets, and robots just waiting to do our bidding.
Now, I'm not complaining or anything. But I'd love to know where these things are. Japan, maybe? They are seemingly much more advanced. Perhaps they are hiding it from us.
Yet, at the same time, people believed that by the year 2000, the computer would be so advanced that it would be the size of say, a walk-in closet.
Obviously, as I sit here in my bed, typing this on my laptop, we have far surpassed that goal.
But I would like to know why we haven't seen any of these other ideas come to life.
My car still stays on the ground, as does my house, and most other buildings. I do not have pill-sized meals that, once microwaved, turn into full-course dinners. You know, kind of like in Fifth Element?
Think of where we'd be now, if the year 2000 had been as grand as people thought it would be. Would we be able to call people with our molar phones? Have mp3 players implanted in our brains? What about teleportation? Would space ships be just as easily accessible as say, your local bus route?
Maybe by 2015, we'll be closer.
There you go, scientists, I've given you 6 years to get on this. You can do it; I believe in you.
Now, I don't remember much before, say, 1989, seeing as how I wasn't alive.
But I have heard these great tales from years ago (you know, like, the 70's), of all these great technological advances the world would see by the year 2000. Elementary schools taught of the vast differences we would see in just 30 years' time.
Well, as you may or may not know, 9 years has passed, and I still don't feel like I'm living with the Jetsons. If you've heard any of these stories yourself, you would know they contained these amazing inventions, such as hover cars, great cities on the moon and other such planets, and robots just waiting to do our bidding.
Now, I'm not complaining or anything. But I'd love to know where these things are. Japan, maybe? They are seemingly much more advanced. Perhaps they are hiding it from us.
Yet, at the same time, people believed that by the year 2000, the computer would be so advanced that it would be the size of say, a walk-in closet.
Obviously, as I sit here in my bed, typing this on my laptop, we have far surpassed that goal.
But I would like to know why we haven't seen any of these other ideas come to life.
My car still stays on the ground, as does my house, and most other buildings. I do not have pill-sized meals that, once microwaved, turn into full-course dinners. You know, kind of like in Fifth Element?
Think of where we'd be now, if the year 2000 had been as grand as people thought it would be. Would we be able to call people with our molar phones? Have mp3 players implanted in our brains? What about teleportation? Would space ships be just as easily accessible as say, your local bus route?
Maybe by 2015, we'll be closer.
There you go, scientists, I've given you 6 years to get on this. You can do it; I believe in you.
February 01, 2009
Frankie Says Relax
There should be a class on having a personality.
Now, I understand that we folk in the food industry are merely there as peons for you to boss around and snap at when you're having a bad day.
And really, most fast food places don't have much of an emphasis on customer service, just speed of service. But Starbucks is generally good about having English-speaking employees, and being generally nice.
So really, it would be so greatly appreciated if our smiles and 'how are you's were returned. It's not so hard. Even if you aren't fine, or great, or okay, just humor us for a few seconds.
Giving us a blank stare and waiting for us to tell you your total, and then shoving your money at is really isn't something we enjoy dealing with customer after customer.
Especially teenagers. Yeah, I know. I am one. (Only for 2 months and 2 weeks, but anyway.) But it seems like anyone between the age of 12-22 just has no common courtesy. Do parents not teach their kids to be polite anymore?
When someone asks you something, you answer them. When someone asks you how you are, or how your day's been, you ANSWER THEM. I am not a robot. I am not just a voice that comes through the little box at the drive thru. I do enjoy people answering my questions.
Also, when you go to places like McDonald's, Burger King, Sonic, what have you, do you just say 'yeah I want some fries'? Or do you say 'yeah, I want a small fry'?
You say the size, right? It's just generally helpful if the people making your food and drinks know what size to make. Same goes for Starbucks. Tell us the size please. We're sick of asking.
Be nice to us please. It would be a great change.
Now, I understand that we folk in the food industry are merely there as peons for you to boss around and snap at when you're having a bad day.
And really, most fast food places don't have much of an emphasis on customer service, just speed of service. But Starbucks is generally good about having English-speaking employees, and being generally nice.
So really, it would be so greatly appreciated if our smiles and 'how are you's were returned. It's not so hard. Even if you aren't fine, or great, or okay, just humor us for a few seconds.
Giving us a blank stare and waiting for us to tell you your total, and then shoving your money at is really isn't something we enjoy dealing with customer after customer.
Especially teenagers. Yeah, I know. I am one. (Only for 2 months and 2 weeks, but anyway.) But it seems like anyone between the age of 12-22 just has no common courtesy. Do parents not teach their kids to be polite anymore?
When someone asks you something, you answer them. When someone asks you how you are, or how your day's been, you ANSWER THEM. I am not a robot. I am not just a voice that comes through the little box at the drive thru. I do enjoy people answering my questions.
Also, when you go to places like McDonald's, Burger King, Sonic, what have you, do you just say 'yeah I want some fries'? Or do you say 'yeah, I want a small fry'?
You say the size, right? It's just generally helpful if the people making your food and drinks know what size to make. Same goes for Starbucks. Tell us the size please. We're sick of asking.
Be nice to us please. It would be a great change.
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