This post is part of a feature on companies and products that our bloggers think are in need of a makeover. See all 26.

OK: Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ: SBUX) is already in the middle of a serious makeover, with instant oatmeal as its unlikely star. CEO Howard Schultz is back with a vengeance, slashing cannibalistic stores, reducing middle management, training employees on how to make lattes (such an idea!), coming up with new mellower coffee blends to combat the constant complaint of burnt-tasting coffee, and unveiling a breakfast menu meant to save Schultz from his own unhealthy habits.

What more could I ask for? Plenty. To begin with, Starbucks has a serious green image problem that was recently exacerbated by the revelation that store policy mandates a faucet in the "dipping well" be kept running constantly. To combat this, Starbucks could institute recycling programs in each of its stores; more aggressively market the "bring your own cup" programs; become more of a leader in demanding sustainably-harvested ingredients in its products (not just coffee beans but hormone-free milk from grass-fed cows -- I know, pie in the sky -- and organic oats for its famous oatmeal); further lead the charge toward healthy food by reducing the sugar contents of its standard beverages and treats.

The other problem with Starbucks is its prices. The company has set the worldwide bar for coffee beverage pricing, without simultaneously setting the worldwide bar for coffee quality. Its coffee is OK, but not nearly so good as much smaller, independent coffee roasters whose beverages are the same price. Price and quality should be commensurate and it's no secret that your consumers are going to start running out of money when the credit crunch hits Visa and Mastercard. Woo them with a 50-cent across-the-board price cut, make the $1.00 coffee a regular menu item, and you'll keep their loyalty.