ImPRESSion

As I sip on my Americano and folding our coffee towels, I am pondering about how important my customers are to me. I've noticed since working here that I am here for more than just a day job, or something to fill my time. Rather, its about finding my purpose and living out my passion in the coffee world. Being able to hand over a cup of coffee to a customer is more than offering a good cup of coffee. Its making a positive impression on individuals that are only expecting a cup of coffee.

Customer service and how I treat my customers is such a huge deal to me. If I am not in a good mood or having a bad day, it's amazing how in one instant I could ruin someone's day. I have learned to take care of myself and my body before I start work so that I am well prepared to make a good difference in my customers lives and in the lives of who I work along side as well. Even if I interact with them only for that few minutes while the customers drop in and out, it only takes that long to either make or break someones day.

This may sound strange, but I find that coffee is the link to connecting with people. There is something about coffee that has fully enhanced its own culture. It's own vibe in the world. Even if you aren't a coffee drinker, there is still this connection that is taking place. Whether you are coming in to the coffee house to grab a muffin, the opportunity of making that impression is still up for grabs. There are many who come in to Coco Bean who don't like coffee, but always comment on the atmosphere and warm customer service. Now, I am not trying to ring my bell and brag, but its really the culture of coffee shops that are inviting and that impression does make a difference!

A Different Taste

Many coffee drinkers have a taste for a particular good cup of coffee, but what differentiates between many of the likes people enjoy is merely enticement. The reason why Starbucks is the most well-known and liked coffee shop in America is because its a corporation and they pride themselves in developing certain drinks that cater to the mainstream coffee lovers across the globe. With their enticing ads and modern micro-managing customer service, its hard not to want to go to Starbucks and get what you 'want'. They are perfectionists when it comes to how they make their drinks. Its no wonder they are successful. However, I happen to find that Starbucks as one of the largest food/drink industries of our time has made other good small coffee shops fall on the wayside, therefore subjecting really hardworking small business owners to fall under the guise of the Starbucks goddess. I wonder though, if times of change is vastly approaching.

While managing a small new coffee shop, this position has made me realize how priceless it is to be apart of a non-corporate business and have the opportunity to help develop Coco Bean Cafe's mark in the world. There's something really special about having that freedom to be along side some amazing owners of this place and even have my ideas considered. This would not even be possible if it were a large coffee corporation. I was just having a conversation with someone about coffee corporations, and she was saying working for a corporation is completely different because they treat their staff members like robots. It made me stop and think how damaging this is. It's necessary as a manager to make sure the employees are doing their job. However, there is s a fine line between treating them like robots and treating them like humans who have responsibilities. Maybe the whole idea behind corporate industries is that inhumane performance is expected. But perhaps that is just my perception.  

Welcome to The Coffee Intellect Blog

Hi! My name is Nicole. I am a Barista Manager at a coffee shop in Grants, New Mexico called Coco Bean Cafe. I manage and maintain business operations and love to work behind the espresso machine. It provides a window of opportunity to make someone's day with a good cup of joe', handed out with smile. My love for coffee is something I thought I would like to write about. So, I started this blog in hopes to demonstrate my musings in writing and even explore new information regarding coffee culture in this day and age.

Coffee is a well-known beverage, but it goes much farther than getting a caffeine fix. It has become one of the most popular cultures of our time. The concept of coffee has embellished into a new idea of extreme inspiration and intellectual  thought along with great artistic ability. I hope to work along side others who are inspired by coffee as much as I am, and who wants to spread the good news of coffee. Please feel free to comment along the way that will unfold into great conversations.