Starbuck's Strategy Essay

* The organization has strong ethical values and an ethical mission statement as follows, 'Starbucks is committed to a role of environmental leadership in all facets of our business.'

Starbucks was bought out by current CEO Howard Schultz in 1987. Since then, Andrew Harrer (2012) reports the company has grown to operate over “17,244 stores worldwide” (para. 1). Fortune (n.d.) reports in its yearly 100 Best Companies to Work for that Starbucks employs “some 95,000 employees”. From only a handful of stores in 1987 to a billion dollar franchise today, the success of Starbucks is due in great deal to their corporate culture, specifically how employees, or as Starbucks calls them, partners are treated. Joseph Michelli (2007) echoes this sentiment, “A great cup of coffee is only part of the Starbucks success equation” (p. 767).

Our mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. Starbucks has lived up to that motto each and every year and with such great numbers and great feedback the company keeps on growing in the right direction. Starbucks is well known around the world for delivering fast, efficient coffee in all forms. From their frappachino’s, to their brew coffee and ice tea they are definitely the set example that other company’s in their area follow. They live by six principles that they practice each and every day they represent there coffee which has always been there passion to deliver

“To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time ("Starbucks", 2012).” Starbucks mission is to not only provide the highest quality of coffee but also make a positive impact on the world. Ethisphere Institute over the last six years has selected the World’s Most Ethical Companies and Starbucks has made the list every year. What are the key components that make Starbucks one of the most ethical companies in the world? Starbucks has developed the Standard of Business Conduct guide for their financial environment, as well as the behavior of their employees. Starbucks uses strict regulations and a variety of audits to ensure their

starbucks Corp., an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington, has expanded rapidly since its opening in 1971. These outrageous success was due to its well-developed strategy vision which lay out the company's strategic course in developing and strengthening its business. Starbucks is a global corporation that sells authentic coffee in 30 countries, reporting revenues of nearly $5.1 billion in 2006. The main goal of Starbucks is to embrace diversity by applying the highest standards of excellence. Starbucks strives to perfect the relationship with the working class by making the service as fast as possible because they believe that every customer has their own personal rate. One

The understanding of Starbucks is that ethical behavior and protocol is imperative to ensure a good working relationship within the company. This not only includes conducting oneself correctly with coworkers but also with all the clients they serve. Within the same Standards of Business and Conduct material is additional information for the partners, which include information that will enable them to make the right choices when faced with a difficult and possible ethical dilemma:

We leave in a consumer—oriented society. Starbucks and Zappos are the two companies that managed to achieve a worldwide success by focusing on quality customer service and staying true to their cultures. Their staffing policies, as well as, employee training and development helped them built employee and customer relations that last. Culture of the company is without a doubt one of the most important factors that will either guarantee a success or failure. Starbucks and Zappos, place a strong emphasis on connecting with their people, meaning both their employees and customers. For both companies culture is the number one priority, they focus on customer service and unity of their people.

Starbucks advertises two essential mission statements. First and foremost, it strives to “establish [ourselves] as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while [we] grow(s).” (Starbucks) Reflective of its mission, Starbucks bases its strategic campaign and communications on six indispensable philosophies; structuring a pleasant work environment in which employees are treated with “respect and dignity,” incorporating diversity in all business aspects, purchasing, roasting and delivering fresh coffee, retaining satisfied customers, giving back to the community and environment, and developing

business model may seem, there is plenty of hard work invested and financial risks taken to grow

The above ideas on how to address the opportunities in the Starbucks case are prioritized from highest to lowest ideas. The criteria used was looking at solving the key gaps, providing for long term sustainability, positively impacting the company’s profitability, and cost of solution. The top three will be explored in further detail below.

Millions of people all around the world wake up and drink a cup of coffee every morning before they go to work. One of the most popular places for coffee drinkers to attend is Starbucks. The company started in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market, which was opened in

Starbucks needs to evaluate the best in it is production and services. It also needs to look at it is assets compared to the competitors and if they are worthy their capability.

Starbucks is one of the top leading coffee sellers in the world. With more than 17,000 stores in more than 55 countries, Starbucks has created the ultimate brand and coffee shop (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2015). Building Starbuck’s name was a process performed by the founder Howard Shultz that focused on quality ethics and good coffee. One of the main aspects of Starbuck’s culture is its mission. Starbucks brand has been ranked number 16 in the Fortune’s one hundred companies to work for because of its honorable, ethical back-round (Lemus, von Feigenblatt, Orta, & Rivero, 2015). However, like all businesses, Starbucks has encountered some ethical issues along the way of their success.

The restructuring at the executive level provided Starbucks an opportunity to make transformational initiatives focused on customer experience and leveraging of resources to maintain sustainability and a competitive advantage over external threats. Weatherup (as cited in Harris, 2008) a Starbucks board member acknowledged the contributions and visionary leadership to the unique and innovative value-driven focus on the customer experience Schultz has executed. In today’s volatile corporate environments, it is imperative for organizations to reestablish credibility and ethical practices by implementing value added strategies. Frederick (as cited in Klenke, 2005) suggests that an organization’s social role is to learn acceptable behaviors through volunteer social responsibility and ethical principles. Furthermore, Hitt (as cited in Klenke, 2005) suggests that leadership and values are conducive to effectiveness.

Corporate culture is a key component to the success of Starbucks. When looking at the seven dimensions of corporate culture (fn textbook pg 338) Starbucks emphasizes Team and People Orientation along with Innovation and Risk-Taking and pose less emphasis on a competitive environment or an outcome oriented approach. (see appendix c) In order to ensure a strong corporate culture Starbucks utilizes innovative and simple ways to ensure the key values are deeply held and widely shared. (fn) By visiting up to 40 stores weekly by the CEO Richard Schultz, creation of Starbucks Broadcast News to convey company news, or administering an “attitude survey” every 18 months to all employees they ensure the company and its partners (employees) are connected. (fn textbook)