The Starbucks Trust Crisis and What It Means for Your Business"

In this powerful wake-up call episode, host Mike Weisman breaks down Starbucks’ stunning decline—six straight quarters of falling sales, hundreds of store closures, and a broken customer bond—and reveals the real culprit: eroded trust.

Using The Higher Ground Life’s 5Cs of Trust framework (Competence, Consistency, Candor, Concern, and Connection), Mike shows exactly where the world’s most iconic coffee brand lost its way: from chasing efficiency at the expense of the “third place” soul, to inconsistent quality, cold store designs, and a perceived lack of care for customers and baristas.

Yet there’s hope—new CEO Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” plan is bringing back seating, ceramic mugs, handwritten names, and proper staffing, delivering the company’s first sales growth in nearly two years.

This isn’t just a Starbucks story. It’s a cautionary tale for every business leader. If a $100 billion giant can stumble this badly, no one is immune. Mike ends with hard-hitting questions to help you audit your own trust levels before it’s too late.

A must-listen for anyone who refuses to let efficiency kill the soul of their brand.

Join host Mike Weisman, Co-Founder of Higher Ground Life Consultancy, as he takes a zesty dive into the heart of success: TRUST! With over 40 years in marketing, Michael shares why relationships, not revenue, are the true currency of business. In a world where trust is at an all-time low—84% of execs think customers trust them, but only 27% actually do (PWC’s 2023 TRUST SURVEY)—it’s time to make trust your business’s heartbeat. Discover the 5Cs of Trust (Competence, Consistency, Candor, Concern, Connection) through a fun tale of a local coffee shop brewing loyal fans, not just lattes. Plus, learn how TrustPulse, Michael’s game-changing survey tool, helps you measure trust and build bonds that last. Ready to ditch transactional traps and spark real connections? Tune in and find out how! Visit www.thehighergroundlife.com/trust-pulse to start your trust journey. #TrustVibes #HigherGroundLife

In a world that finds itself increasingly fractured and divided, the urgency for unity, trust, and meaningful connections has never been more apparent. The very fabric of our society is fraying, and the need for a guide to rebuild, nurture, and strengthen relationships has never been more critical. The Guidebook to Building Trusting Relationships offers you a roadmap to developing more meaningful and purposeful relationships.

In this episode of the Higher Ground Life podcast, Chesley explores the transformative power of acting out of conviction rather than compliance. Diving into the importance of listening to one's inner voice and balancing the intellect with genuine emotions, Chesley discusses how authenticity and conviction contribute to building trust in both personal and professional relationships. Join the insightful conversation and discover the profound impact of letting your convictions guide you on the journey to a higher ground life.