coffee business strategies

I applaud the management of Amici Espresso for their recent action of (and subsequent publicity from) hiring a barista from Italy to perform employee training in Des Moines, IA, as mentioned in this article in a local newspaper. Many points for style.

However, we suggest that any business owner carefully consider their actions when hiring a subject matter expert to train employees. Whereas, subject matter experts are normally well qualified to develop content - TRAINERS - those educated and experienced at facilitating the education process, are generally best at delivering content. Anyone that has ever attended an accounting course led by accountants or computer seminar run by computer geeks will immediately recognize the concerns: knowledge of content and skillful delivery of content are two distinctly separate talents.

On a side note, if anyone has a picture showing the face of a barista from Italy when she hears that you serve a 20 oz cappuccino, please send it my way. It must be quite a sight.

We wish our friends in Iowa continued success!