Stories are how we communicate something deeper than just information. They help both old shape their worldview and grasp concepts that have far reaching impact on the countless decisions we make through our lives that affect the lives of others. No matter how small, it makes a difference. That is one of the central messages of the book written by …
Do you find yourself saying this? Over the years I have heard this or a version of this on repeat (the irony!) What is going on? Why do your staff ask you the same things over and over again? Well, the answer may not be what you want to hear, but it may help solve the problem. Today on Shift …
It is easy to fall into the trap of sitting on helpful information and ideas that can help your business and your people because you feel it needs to be perfect. One more class, one more book, one more podcast and then I will act. Really anything, can and does and it become a tool for avoidance not education. Today …
We promise people a lot of things. Whether they are implied by marketing, or stated directly, the biggest differentiator between a cafe that is trusted and one that is not will be whether you have a plan for doing what you say you will do. Today on Shift Break we will be talking about why keeping promises is perhaps the …
People. This is what owners consistently say is one of the biggest challenges they have in running their shops. Why is this? Well, I was just at Coffee Fest in Dallas/Fort-Worth and heard basically the same thing form many experienced owners. Today we will be talking about what is behind this issue and what can be done to begin to …
Am I behind? This was a question I was asked by a coaching client recently. They worried that they may be not to where most people “should be” in their coaching. I have talked with thousands of people in my 3 decades of coffee and one thing that persists is the nagging feeling that you are not as good as …
Coffee Fest LA was awesome and I am finally getting this episode out right before we fly out to Dallas! Stay tuned. In this episode I sat down with one great presenter and give some of my own thoughts on the show and lessons you can apply in your business and area. Kevin Mejia grew up in Monrovia, CA as …
Many owners start in the business of coffee shops by buying an existing cafe. Sometimes there is a lot of work to do. Other times, the cafe is already a successful, well love, and established cafe. The later example is actually a bit more daunting since now there is legacy, community, and great staff to steward, all while learning the ropes …
In the ecosystem of entrepreneurship we glorify and practice a certain kind of paranoia about our businesses. We are never happy and always suspecting we are behind, or broken in some secret way that we need to find. The result is that, even when we arrive to a good place, our ability to recognize it and rest in it is …
The coffee shop experience is one that should be accessible to a wide variety of people. How we go about building a welcoming and hospitable space is not only the work of interior design, workflow, and service standards; it also extends to the menu and what we offer. Enter the 2 dollar drip. An item that represents an intention put …
