Interviews

         I interviewed my older brother, Nathan Souheaver, who currently works at the Starbucks location closest to my home in Suwanee, Georgia. It was a thirty-five minute long interview in which Nathan explained to me the benefits and job training that come along with working there. The information that I obtained from my interview completely backed up the standpoint I was already planning on writing my paper on. He informed me of the training techniques they were taught on how to provide the best customer service. He gave me examples of situations in which customers were displeased with their service and how they would deal with them. He also filled me in on all the benefits that come along with working for them such as stock options, healthy working conditions, scholarships, and flexible scheduling.
          I also interview my best friend’s Dad, Hugh Buice, who has been a habitual Starbucks consumer for many years. We sat down for forty-five minutes at the Starbucks closest to my home, where I interviewed him over a fresh cup of vanilla latte. Mr. Hugh filled me in on his first encounter with the Starbucks in the Mall of Georgia many years ago when it first opened. He portrayed his first encounter as one of intimidation and bewilderment of what and how exactly he was going to order. He claimed that technology such as the espresso machine along with the other trendy advancements that did not exist in traditional coffee shops, drew in the younger crowds. He proclaimed that this first experience triggered a new meaning of coffee for him. He since then strongly believes in the quality Starbucks coffee beans have to offer compared to anything else in the coffee industry.
           Having two interviews with people on opposite ends of the spectrum gave me good perspectives of how Starbucks markets itself in many different aspects of the business to create such a well-known, respectable brand.