Om Malik, is adding to the mix by letting us all in on his little secrets about lean startups and maximizing your business startup experience at Starbucks expense:
- Almost always favor a single location. It makes it easier for your contacts to drop in for meetings.
- Learn the names of most of the baristas and also take time to have a conversation with them. It helps build a human connection.
- Make the baristas involved in your venture – share your news and make them feel part of your struggle.
- Make sure you buy coffee or something at least three times a day.
- Tip generously – up to $10 a day will ensure that folks at the store don’t view you as a freeloader and a pest.
- Don’t spread out your stuff and take up too much space at the store.
- Invest in great noise-cancelling headphones (to counter the loud background music).
- Keep your mobile phones on vibrate and leave the store for conversations.
- Make sure that the number of people attending a meeting is fewer than four so that you can all circle around a single table.
Think I need a latte.