"How Starbucks Saved My Life"

[Guest American Woman]

I just finished reading this book, and I must say, I had no idea what a unique, progressive company Starbucks is. I'm totally impressed. If every corporation treated its employees with as much concern, care, and respect, the world would be a different place. They even give health benefits to part time employees, and that includes vision and dental. It's a company that believes all employees (referred to as "partners"), no matter what their position, are equally important. Their philosphy is based on "respect," which they extend to the customers (who are referred to as "guests.")

Michael Gill is 'a child of privilege' who graduated from Yale and earned a six figure salary at JWT until he was fired after 25 years of complete devotion to the company-- basically because the company wanted their employees to present a younger image. Down on his luck, he was offered a job at a Starbucks Open House by the very people he used to put himself above. He viewed it as his 'last chance' after ten years of stuggling to make a go of it. He sure changed his views when he was 'the minority' as he worked with a team of African Americans who had difficult upbringings-- completely changing his view on affirmative action, for example-- and ironically, he found true happiness for the first time in his life as he discovered what's really important in life.

It's a great read, and like I said, I have new found great respect for Starbucks. I would hope that other companies follow their example.

Edited to add:

Oops. I meant to put this in the U.S. forum, but since there are Starbucks in Canada too, maybe I'll be forgiven.

Edited December 20, 2007 by American Woman

[CandianWatcher]

Starbucks is a great company, a friend of mine works there and has done for years, they seem to promote from within and look after their own. Mind you that being said, must admit I am more of a Tim Horton coffee drinker.

[Guest American Woman]

Starbucks is a great company, a friend of mine works there and has done for years, they seem to promote from within and look after their own. Mind you that being said, must admit I am more of a Tim Horton coffee drinker.

I'm actually not a coffee drinker at all, and we don't even have a Starbucks where I live (imagine that!), but I sure am impressed with the company after reading that book. I bet your friend would really enjoy reading it. I had always assumed that Starbucks was just a yuppie-type company, so I think I'll be a little less likely to jump to conclusions in the future. I'm glad your friend enjoys the company too, and what you say about it confirms what Michael Gill had to say.

[marcinmoka]

I haven't read the book....but I did briefly work there part-time student. And in all honesty, this was the first company that actually seemed to have partly practiced what it preached in its corporate values, unlike most student gigs (anyone who has ever worked part time at a bank would certainly agree).

Though I do re-call once I met some managers and guys from the corporate/finance side of the company, and told them that I thought Starbucks was growing too fast and risked being a commoditized, which was dangerous seeing as they rely on very premium pricing. They scoffed and shrugged me off.

But as with all premium/luxury brands that become too ubiquitous, too much presence and growth will only bring diminishing returns.

And it seems that the analysts agree with me.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/346...uxdonald08.html

[M.Dancer]

I have heard they sell coffee but I have never seen any evidence of that. Sometimes my co-workers bring back from Charbucks a hot beverage with a pungent burnt taste...I assume it was made from acorns or something. Myself I don't fancy these new age drinks...I prefer real coffee.

[marcinmoka]

I have heard they sell coffee but I have never seen any evidence of that. Sometimes my co-workers bring back from Charbucks a hot beverage with a pungent burnt taste...I assume it was made from acorns or something. Myself I don't fancy these new age drinks...I prefer real coffee.

Despite all the beverages I had access to, I still only drank my standard Starbucks Mild brewed drip coffee. And when I had to pay, I sure as hell was not gonna shell out $5 bucks for a diabetes inducing drink that I could ill pronounce.

Tim Ho's was good.....for beginners, but you eventually grow past that age and wish for something more than a dashing of flavorless brown water in a sea of cream and sugar that many label as "real coffee"

[Carinthia]

Despite all the beverages I had access to, I still only drank my standard Starbucks Mild brewed drip coffee. And when I had to pay, I sure as hell was not gonna shell out $5 bucks for a diabetes inducing drink that I could ill pronounce.

Tim Ho's was good.....for beginners, but you eventually grow past that age and wish for something more than a dashing of flavorless brown water in a sea of cream and sugar that many label as "real coffee"

It's nice to know that Starbucks is a good company. I do remember though, that they sued a Native Reservation somewhere in upper Canada because they named their coffee shop "Starbucks". Ingenious of the Natives, I thought. But after much public bruhaha the real Starbucks caved and dropped it.

I like my own brew the best.

[Carinthia]

Despite all the beverages I had access to, I still only drank my standard Starbucks Mild brewed drip coffee. And when I had to pay, I sure as hell was not gonna shell out $5 bucks for a diabetes inducing drink that I could ill pronounce.

Tim Ho's was good.....for beginners, but you eventually grow past that age and wish for something more than a dashing of flavorless brown water in a sea of cream and sugar that many label as "real coffee"

It's nice to know that Starbucks is a good company. I do remember though, that they sued a Native Reservation somewhere in upper Canada because they named their coffee shop "Starbucks". Ingenious of the Natives, I thought. But after much public bruhaha the real Starbucks caved and dropped it.

I like my own brew the best.

I don't know why I quoted you to post my thoughts marcinmoka. I hit the wrong button.

[Guest American Woman]

I haven't read the book....but I did briefly work there part-time student. And in all honesty, this was the first company that actually seemed to have partly practiced what it preached in its corporate values, unlike most student gigs (anyone who has ever worked part time at a bank would certainly agree).

It's nice to hear that your experience at Starbucks was good too.

And thanks for the link-- it was an interesting article. Seems as if the company wants to stay with (get back to?) it's original concept, which does make the company unique.