Office Cafe at Starbucks Cafe
This was a beautiful sunny South Florida day. This afternoon, Marla and I spent some time downtown at CityPlace. We sat outside the Starbucks below the Harriet Himmel Theater, which is home to our church’s CityPlace Campus. People were leisurely walking back and forth, shopping, sipping on coffee, eating ice cream and watching the fountain dance to the music.
Today is Sunday, so I didn’t bring any work. But that doesn’t mean that my mind doesn’t wander to business once in a while. Today I thought about the new web server that I installed this week. In fact, OfficeCafe is running on that very server. It was a fun project. More on that another day.
Back to Starbucks. I can usually relax in this situation, and today was no different. But I am reminded that sometimes when I sit in such a place, I look around and think about the buildings around me, the businesses nearby and what improvements, if any, I would make. These thoughts lead me to think about my own businesses and what improvements that I could make today that would lead to a better business tomorrow. It is a good mental exercise. And to think, all I wanted was a cup of coffee! Could that cup of coffee really pay for itself? Even at these prices, it just might!
The thing is, it’s not always about the coffee. Sometimes, it’s about the place where you drink the coffee. We’re going to be talking about ways to mix the fun of the cafe with the productivity that can come from just being there. Won’t you join the conversation?
June 8th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
David, it really is true: “It’s not always about the coffee.” It’s about the place and the people and the conversation…and if we’re blessed, what comes out of the conversation in the form of action. Your blog is really great! I don’t understand half of it, but I’m really enjoying reading it.
June 8th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Thanks for the comment, Jeremy! I have keen business interests and a strong technical background. It has led me to some interesting places. In fact, OfficeCafe was born to help me process some technical issues relating to a new business that has been “brewing” for a couple of years.
You run a great Starbucks. Marla and I are always amazed at your people skills. We look forward to spending more time with you as you build a great “third place.”
June 9th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I love how coffee becomes a metaphor for so many things in life!