Sure we all prefer Starbucks to McDonald’s drip coffee when we are at an airport. At home, many of us prefer to support local coffee shops instead, but why would one respond to the latest Starbucks campaign, MyStarbucksidea.com, asking to give Starbucks Corporate clever ideas on how to make them a better company. The incentive? You have a shot at seeing your idea being put to work. Not enough of an incentive, at least not for us. For Starbucks it might work, given the vast subscriber base, but would it be too much to ask for a couple of prize-incentives, like $100 Starbucks gift cards for the entries that are translated into the stores? Leaves a bad taste in my mouth, one of free labor.

I’ll keep going to get my good taste at the bean brewer next door instead, where I get free coffee for being loyal and I can tell the guy behind the counter if I have a great idea.