Best Supporting ... Barista?

I've noticed a trend the last few dozen times I've been to my local Starbucks. Whether the coffee shop is packed or sparse, I always see one of the baristas not doing any customer service. They don't make drinks. They don't take orders up front, or at the drive-thru. Actually, it seems like they are practically ignoring customers, as they are focused on whatever task they are completing at the time.

They call this the "store support" role. This person brews coffee, re-stocks and replenishes supplies, and in general just supports the other baristas with whatever they need.

I read about this role on a blog, and the Starbucks employee (or "partner," as Starbucks calls them) said "nobody likes this role. It’s hard work, and not very gratifying. It’s boring. But it is also really necessary."

I think the blogger is right about all of this - except that no one would like that role.

I would love that role.

I would see how efficiently I could whip up a new batch of Pike Place, or restock the cups or organize the storeroom.

There are roles like "store support" in every company, no matter how small. For many companies, the HR department operates as a type of support role. Even when I worked at a little family owned company in college, they didn't have a specific HR person, but we all played this "store support" role in some way - prepping electronic materials so that when they were assembled together later, they could be done so more efficiently.

I loved that role.

It's no surprise I have this role again, on the Operations team. There's a definite need for supporting roles in ministry. There has to be people working alongside those on the field, who can serve them in vital areas. Pastors have admin assistants. Non-profits have bookers or accountants or financial teams. And Cru has the Operations team.

Who new Starbucks and Cru operate in similar ways? Maybe that's why I love them both.