Comments on: Should Starbucks’ Michelle Gass go on CBS’ Undercover Boss?

By: David

David — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:51:14 +0000

I think starbucks management should go undercover and see what goes on in the stores. I hope they meet the good baristas and the ones who know nothing about the company procedures. I hope they get to see the customers from the new to the regulars. They should also go to those grocery store starbucks too. I find the Target ones to be nicer than the regular stores.

By: Clark Kent

Clark Kent — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:39:15 +0000

Yes! I think Michelle Gass would be the perfect candidate for Undercover Boss!

I confess that this show is a guilty pleasure and I often wish some high level execs were forced to work in the trenches more often.

Employees and customers alike benefit from leadership who gain a solid reality check about the daily function of their business on the front lines.

By: ALN

ALN — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:27:55 +0000

Yes! A great idea!

By: Karl Dahlquist - karldotcom

Karl Dahlquist - karldotcom — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:48:21 +0000

The UCO Starbucks in Los Angeles are absolutely horrible…. I would like to know who actually supervises those places and if they have to meet the same Ecosure standards, because they sure don’t look it.

By: darkkatpouncing

darkkatpouncing — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:03:48 +0000

I feel it’s a great idea for execs to work a bit on ground level. Having worked at large corporations most of career there has ALWAYS been positive changes made work structure/environment when the higher ups sat a bit in daily operations experiencing 1st hand the ups & downs

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:45:02 +0000

there used to be a BBC series called “back to the floor” – same principle, bosses get down to the nitty gritty of working the shop/factory floor. At the end they always seem to have learned so many ways in which they can improve their business.
I think its a great idea!

By: BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL

BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:12:19 +0000

And yes, she would have to work both opening and closing shifts. So somehow she would have to be all happy at 5 in the morning and yes, she would have to mop the lobby at night as well and clean the drains and the bathrooms.

By: BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL

BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 03:05:33 +0000

Thanks Melody for mentioning me. we all know how I have a secret crush on Ms. Gass. But all joking aside, it would be easy for her to go into a bunch of stores, be given a fake background story and who knows, maybe it would have a great storyline that is so Starbucks.
At the UCO Starbucks, she meets a bunch of single moms and ex-gang members trying to make an honest living.
At the suburban Starbucks, some soccer moms and maybe writers work at a Starbucks.
At the business district Starbucks, overworked interns getting coffee for their bosses.
And the drive-thru well I’ve never worked in that situation but I’m sure it would be interesting with Ms. Gass wearing the headset.
“Good morning. Thanks for coming to Starbucks. My name is Michelle. How are you today?”

By: BAYAREABUX

BAYAREABUX — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:05:13 +0000

Right on about the dog and pony show. If it is announced beforehand that anyone DM level or higher will be in the store on a certain day, heads will roll if everything’s not perfect. Personally I like it on those rare occasions when they show up unannounced. Unfortunately very few execs have the stomach for that anymore.

By: Amazonv

Amazonv — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:29:36 +0000

@Melody working in food service, and retail it is true any time anyone ‘above’ the store shows up (district level, regional, corporate) the dog and pony show begins. Employees suffer and do things ‘right’ and then go back to what works when outside management leaves. This is not helpful to the company but in some cases it protects the company from it’s own stupidity. If a policy is someone’s pet and they don’t have the humility to admit mistakes hiding the fact it is not used will save jobs and keep customers happier in some cases.

I agree that corporate personnel should get a chance to go ‘ in the trenches’ (annually) without the dog and pony show I think it would be more like McDonalds policy and less with cameras and a reality TV show if they want true benefits.

From a selfish perspective I would like to see the day in the life of a barista on TV but only for my own edification, I wouldn’t think it could bring lasting benefit to the corporate management and could possibly bring about reprimands to anyone not following policy during the show (which would be sad).