Starbucks: Forty Years Strong

The Starbucks experience is an all encompassing culture that revolves not just around customers but also to employees, or “partners” and suppliers. Burks (2009) notes that the company cares about the footprint it leaves, no matter where it does business; “the company is dedicated to making positive contributions to the communities where it doe... ... middle of paper ... ...ies/100-best-companies-to-work-for/435-2011 Koehn, N.F., Besharov, M.A., & Miller, K. (2008). Starbucks Coffee Company in the 21st Century. [Case study]. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing.

Every quarter, Smith spends at least a couple of days behind the counter as part of their ‘Adopt a Store’ program for the senior executives. ... ... middle of paper ... ...for 30,000 stores total) (Flanigan C1). While some believe the company is growing too rapidly and repeat the mistake McDonald’s made by opening too many stores of offsetting its own profits, Starbucks still continues to remain strong. It has also been able to achieve growth in other ways by developing new products, such as the much-anticipated Starbucks Liqueur. The future of Starbucks now presides with new a CEO, James Donald.

Starbucks. (n.d.). Starbucks Shared Planet Goals & Progress 2010 | Starbucks Coffee Company. Starbucks Coffee Company. Retrieved March 20, 2012, from http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/learn-more/goals-and-progress

By hiring employees that fit in the organizational culture (ICFAI, 2005) and treating their employees well (Lefevere, n.d.), Starbucks brings in and retains customers through their happy employees. The qualities that Starbucks hires for are "adaptability, dependability and the ability to work in a team" (ICFAI, 2005). The culture is supportive and laid back (Montana, 2005). Howard Shultz, Starbucks president and CEO, has the theory "that if you treat your employees well, they will treat your customers well" (Starbucks, 1997). In the excerpt from ‘Starbucks' Human Reso... ... middle of paper ... ... website: http://www.echeat.com/essay.php?t=27282 Nelson, Bob.

In 1981, Howard Schultz, vice president and general manager of U.S. operations for a Swedish maker of coffee and kitchen equipment, visited Starbucks and was immediately enamored by the business philosophy and opportunity. For over a year Schultz pressed for a position at Starbucks and was finally hired in September 1982. However, Schultz’s vision to expand and reconstruct Starbucks conflicted with the owner’s desire to retain a retail focus. So, in 1986, Schultz struck out on his own and founded Il Giornale Coffee Company. The following year, Schultz acquired Starbucks for $3.8 million dollars when the owners decided to focus their attention on running Peet’s Coffee and Tea, which they had acquired in 1984.

Fortune Magazine. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2012/snapshots/73.html Harrer, A (2012, January 26). Starbucks Corporation. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/starbucks_corporation/index.html Michelli, J.A.

One statement made by Starbucks on the structure of leadership is "through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup” (Starbucks, 2013).). Starbucks has been a leader in the beverage industry since the 1980’s; yes Starbucks opened before that but did not start to control the industry until the 80’s. Leadership has always been a point of emphasis within the company not only with its internal family but with the community as well. Many leadership traits can be attributed to Starbucks success but as one analyst points out Servant leadership really stands out. From general managers all the way down to its baristas Starbucks takes pride in not only making sure the cup of coffee consumers will be drinking surpasses expectations but in welcoming all into the Starbucks family.

Over the year... ... middle of paper ... ...tation teams who will treat the proposed approaches as project with a concise rollout timeframe. Works Cited Lee, K. (2011). Case study: Starbucks Coffee. Retrieved May 21, 2014 from http://www.slideshare.net/vincentwfnb/starbucks-15242339# Shahi, T., Omar, J., Aufscla ̈ger, M., Schmerling, T. & Gassner, S. (2007). Case Study Report: How Starbucks Corp. should improve its business.

Starbucks opened in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1971 with hopes of creating a "third place" between home and work. Starbucks was created to produce premium coffee, while adhering to various core principles during economic growth. "The company has realized that people don’t only come for coffee; they come for the atmosphere," (Kembell). Customers are able to socialize, read, study or enjoy music while drinking coffee. Starbucks strategically positions each store with hopes of matching the specific location, helping to create a unique atmosphere.

Starbucks believe that they can elevate their customers, partners, suppliers and neighbours to create positive change. They call their corporate offices “a support centre” for some reasons. They try to make everything they do there to support their retail store partners and make an impact on the communities they serve. They have a research and development team of over 200 people which are responsible for the science behind their great products. They are the innovators of delicious beverages and brewing equipments.