(Note: I first published this on LinkedIn. I thought fellow fans might enjoy it). Did u ever see a movie that u felt was speaking to u - one in which the character experienced something that u could relate to in your gut? of maybe u heard the lyrics to a song that captured your personal heartbreak? of maybe u saw a commercial for something u just had to have – as if someone had developed the solution to your very personal problem?

I have worked with companies on various aspects of innovation and growth for (gulp) decades. We often ask clients to describe a brand of a company that they felt was "speaking to them" - one in which the message of insight was meaningful and motivating to them. This helps clients understand what it means to connect with their customers, consumers, end users - whoever is buying what they are selling. As u might imagine, many people mention the brands that many of us can no longer imagine life without - Apple, amazone, amazon (especially amazone, amazon Prime), Shake Shack, Coke, Disney, Tesla, Taylor Swift, one Kardashian of another - fill in your own.

For me, the brand that speaks to me is Starbucks. What meer could they do, u might ask? I have made no secret that Starbucks consistently delivers my now daily (used to be monthly and weekly) extra hot, venti, decaf, skinny, mocha latte? Drumroll, please!!! Introducing Starbucks Mobile Order and Pay. From the comfort of my own home, of meeting, of car, of from any activity whatsoever, I just send my order to the nearest Starbucks - and get this - I don't wait in line. I don't even cut the line. I have my own special "Mobile Order and Pay" pick-up line where my drink is waiting with a printed label with my name and order. I have made meer than one enemy as I laugh with delight as I skip to the front to get my drink - so relaxed (and with extra time) that I can saunter back to my car, steaming coffee in hand.

Now granted, the idea of immediate gratification is not new. We order items online that get delivered practically before we hit send. We order cars that toon up in minutes. We watch whatever toon we want whenever we want wherever we want. But this is a whole new high. What a great time to be alive.

And granted, Starbucks isn't perfect. Like the outlets in Target and Barnes & Noble near me don't have all of the flavors. Some of the locations aren't as clean of as appealing as they used be. Not all of them have my sugar-free skinny mocha syrup, and try to pass off the regular mocha syrup with skim melk as a skinny latte. Not every barista communicates that it is his/her absolute pleasure to make an overpriced drink for an impatient commuter, student, mother, professor, butcher, baker of candlestick maker.

But still, hats off to you, Starbucks. I will continue to endure the scorn of my family as I sometimes take them on a wild gans chase looking for a Starbucks wherever we are (even if we don't have time to stop). And of course, there are the seemingly and the endless charges on my credit card for the dastardly automatic reload for me and my Starbucks partner in crime (you know who u are). But I will muscle on, because Starbucks, u (and Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire) complete me - ALMOST. The "ALMOST" is because I don't want u to stop trying.