Understanding Starbuck’s

I’m in downtown Denver for the Spring 2006 Innovative Users Group Conference.  The weather is perfect, Greek omelets are good, and the 16th Street Mall has free wifi.  I’m sitting outside a Starbuck’s and so far have heard 3 kids, ages 8-12, asking they’re parents why they can’t go to Starbuck’s.  There’s a Starbuck’s on nearly every corner here and in many of the hotel lobbies. I watched an interview last night with Howard Schultz, Starbuck’s CEO and founder, last night that focused on the value of persistence and, I would add, vision.  This morning’s USA Today has a front-page article on the pervasive influence Starbuck’s is having on how and where we spend our time and money.  What a culture they’re creating!  We would do well not just to imitate, but to understand.