Starbucks Essay

(3a): What trade-offs has Starbucks made? What different activity choices has it made from its rivals?

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).

Starbucks Corporation, generally known, as Starbucks Coffee is the leading retailer and a brand of world’s forte coffee in the world, with more than 15,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim, wherever in this world where premium quality coffee is in demand. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world ahead of UK rival Costa Coffee, with 20737 stores in 63 countries and territories, including 11910 in the United States, 1496 in China, 1442 in Canada, 1052 in Japan and 772 in the United Kingdom. The first Starbucks was open in 1970. The name was inspired from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, a definitive American novel regarding the 19th century whaling industry. The nautical name matches seamlessly for a store that imports the world’s finest coffees to the cold thirsty people of Seattle. In May 1998, Starbucks have finally successfully entered the European market through its acquirement of 65 Coffee Company stores initially originated from Seattle in the UK. Both companies shared a common culture, focusing on a great commitment to customized coffee, similar company values and a mutual respect.

2) Garthwiate, Craig; Busse, Meghan; Brown, Jennifer; Merkley, Greg “Starbucks: A Story of Growth” Harvard Business Publishing, July 2012.

The political/legal segment focuses on the influences groups and organization has on the government and how the government influences them as well. While this country is still faced with a down economy, Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, wants to set a trend and “redefine the role of business in society” (Dolan, 2011). He is asking for companies to get involved in the education and training for society’s workforce in an effort to help decrease the unemployment rates and put people back to work. He believes it is the responsibility of the business community “to serve the communities where we do business by helping to improve, for example, the quality of citizens’ education, employment, healthcare, safety, and overall daily life….” ((Dolan, 2011). In addition, The Starbucks Foundation is partnering with

1. Where did the original idea for the Starbucks format come from? What lesson for international business can be drawn from this?

The extraordinary success Starbucks experienced during the early 1990s resulted from Howard Schultz’s passion and vision to create a coffee culture in the United States similar to the coffee culture he experienced while traveling to Italy. Schultz’s vision of the Starbucks brand evolved around providing a quality product while delivering exceptional customer service in an inviting atmosphere. Starbucks’ success can be attributable to the following factors:

First of all, Howard Schultz had a clear vision about his company. It is important for a great leader to have a clear vision about what to achieve. The emphasis on importance of employees is the outstanding point in his vision. This is why Starbucks has been investing in their

Starbucks is really well known and also believed to be the leading coffee company in the universe. Starbucks is the one of the successful examples to build a good reputation through social media. Starbucks heavily promotes ethical practices throughout the media to create a halo effect. So, Starbucks gains customer’s trust. Starbucks has put different types of Sales Promotion across the country and other nations with hopes of motivating more customer to purchase, especially in times of economic hardships where people are less likely to buy. The coffee company uses all forms of different sales promotion. For instance, Starbucks offered 50% off Frappuccino from 3pm until 5pm on 6 May 2015 in Malaysia. This promotion is

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

As is quoted in the book “Starbucks seems to have a handle on how to gain and maintain employee loyalty.” I also like the way Starbucks treats its customers, you feel there as you are in a friendly environment. Schultz believes that he “has created a third place between home and work where people can go to get their own personal time out or relax with friends.“ (Peter & Olson, pg. 32) I think that what Schultz believes is very true and we can see this by the numbers of how much this store has expanded and how much popularity it has all over the world. The only thing that I don’t like about Starbucks is the price of coffee; compared with other stores here in Greece it has higher prices. So, the information I received for Starbucks had a very strong influence on my affect for the coffee shops and especially for Starbucks.

1. In the beginning, how was Starbucks different from other coffee options for coffee drinkers in the United States? What activities and assets did Starbucks leverage to differentiate itself from

The company has also developed a structure and control system. With the realization that human capital holds a vital role in the development and sustainability of any institution, that of Starbucks included, it has taken to task to protect the same. To develop this, the company has an elaborate system that ensures the production levels of the company are met with pride. This like other leaders in the same has entailed ensuring they have an empowering corporate culture, topped by ensuring their employees enjoy competitive benefits.

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.

The HR management practices at Starbucks are tied to its business strategy by ensuring the