Week6 10/20 The Success Story of Starbucks

Open Topic: The Success Story of Starbucks

I wrote a paper on the management style of Starbucks as a mid report of business class. When I gathered information of business style of Starbucks, I found there were amazing keys to their success. So I wanna tell the secrets even though briefly.

Starbucks was opened as a small coffee roasting and selling shop in Seattle in 1971. At that time, coffee was just poor-quality and dull beverage. But there, Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and chief executive officer, brought a thought that it would be better to establish a new fancy and romantic coffee house in European style, serving premium coffee. This idea revolutionized the coffee and cafe industry. Today, 40 years later, Starbucks has grown into one of the first-class corporations and has more than 17,000 shops in over 50 countries. 

Not only such innovative idea, but also its unique business concept is one of their recipes for success; "creating Starbucks Experience." Starbucks Experience is an experience that customers can get only at Starbucks. Specifically, customers can enjoy best coffee, best hospitality, and best environment when they visit Starbucks. All partners (all working staff are called "partners".) are given the mission to cherish the relationship with customers created through Starbucks Experience. So, partners treat a customer not as one of majority but as one precious individual. For instance, some partners remember the names of not only customers but also their children, and others saved a customer's life encouraging him. It seems that there are only a few companies which give highly place to the connection between customers and employees.

I did not know about that because I seldom go to Starbucks. But now I wanna go there and get Starbucks Experience.