Anyone know anything good/bad about Starbucks, the company? [Archive]

C hristian

12-04-2003, 11:08 AM

Heard the same. But I want to dig deeper. BTW, DON"T SLEEP ON THEIR STOCK! OPENIG 3-5 stores in the world every day!

The success of Starbucks Coffee Company is one of the most remarkable business stories in decades, growing from a single retail store on Seattle's waterfront to a company with more than one thousand stores nationwide and a new one opening every business day. Starbucks has effected a fundamental change in American life, turning coffee into a national obsession and establishing the coffee bar as a new fixture of Main Street - a home away from home for millions of Americans. In Pour Your Heart Into It, Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks, shares the passion, values, and inspiration that drive the success of this fascinating company. Schultz gives credit for the growth of Starbucks to a foundation of values seldom found in corporate America - values that place as much importance on the company's employees as they do on profits, as much attention to creativity as to growth. Schultz tells the story of Starbucks in chapters that illustrate the principles which have made the company enduring, such as "Don't be threatened by people smarter than you," "Compromise anything but your core values," "Seek to renew yourself even when you are hitting home runs," and, most simply, "Everything matters." For entrepreneurs, marketers, managers, and Starbucks' loyal customers, Pour Your Heart Into Itgets to the heart of a company that, according to Fortunemagazine, "has changed everything...from our tastes to our language to the face of Main Street."--This text refers to the Audio Cassetteedition.

P-Flipp

12-04-2003, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by C hristian:
Started working for Starbucks recently. They show these videos about how incredible a company they are. Before I beleive them, I want to know if anyone knows anything about how they do business on either the macro or micro scale. And whether the good they do lives up to their training videos.

Thanks, c You work for a company that anti globilzation forces love to hate.They are known for exploiting the raw resources i.e coffee beans of poorer underdevolped countries for the sole purpose of the selling overpriced beuvrages thus raking in billions through "mc job" labour and brilliant marketing.Chris just go in and make that cash but don't take their propoganda seriously.Starbucks =The "Gap" of Coffee.
:D

[ December 04, 2003, 11:14 AM: Message edited by: P-Flipp ]

dj c-los

12-04-2003, 11:11 AM

good = their selection and taste
bad = WTF!!!! $4.00 FOR A COFEE!!!!! AR15firing.gif

C hristian

12-04-2003, 11:14 AM

yeah, but $3 for a coffee and, according to SBX, they are reinvesting the money into the bean countries' community. Builing affordible medical facilities for their people, etc. Doing the social responsibility work for the communities around the retail stores, partnering with Magic Johnson to get the stores into the inner city and provide jobs, more community investment, etc. etc..

Watching latin american doctors go into tears b/c now they can take care of their people!

C hristian

12-04-2003, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by P-Flipp:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by C hristian:
Started working for Starbucks recently. They show these videos about how incredible a company they are. Before I beleive them, I want to know if anyone knows anything about how they do business on either the macro or micro scale. And whether the good they do lives up to their training videos.

Thanks, c You work for a company that anti globilzation forces love to hate.They are known for exploiting the raw resources i.e coffee beans of poorer underdevolped countries for the sole purpose of the selling overpriced beuvrages thus raking in billions through "mc job" labour and brilliant marketing.Chris just go in and make that cash but don't take their propoganda seriously.Starbucks =The "Gap" of Coffee.
:D [/QUOTE]how is that any worse than any other capitalistic company? i mean , haven't you just defined business as usual for every other company?

dj c-los

12-04-2003, 11:20 AM

Originally posted by C hristian:
yeah, but $3 for a coffee and, according to SBX, they are reinvesting the money into the bean countries' community. Builing affordible medical facilities for their people, etc. Doing the social responsibility work for the communities around the retail stores, partnering with Magic Johnson to get the stores into the inner city and provide jobs, more community investment, etc. etc..

Watching latin american doctors go into tears b/c now they can take care of their people! <SBX>
Starbucks employee programming phase 1 complete.

Let's now show our new employee the video of a 3rd world country child enjoying a nice cup of Caramel Apple Cider.

P-Flipp

12-04-2003, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by C hristian:
yeah, but $3 for a coffee and, according to SBX, they are reinvesting the money into the bean countries' community. Builing affordible medical facilities for their people, etc. Doing the social responsibility work for the communities around the retail stores, partnering with Magic Johnson to get the stores into the inner city and provide jobs, more community investment, etc. etc..

Watching latin american doctors go into tears b/c now they can take care of their people! Hmm I can't help but to remain skeptical.Anyway,Walmart (10 times scarier that Starbucks) is a freaky devilish company!

SHEIK YERBOUTI

12-04-2003, 11:22 AM

Doesn't Starbucks have a NUD, a Non Urban Dictate? I belive it's on a list with quite a few other companies.

[ December 04, 2003, 11:27 AM: Message edited by: toomuchtv ]

P-Flipp

12-04-2003, 11:24 AM

Originally posted by C hristian:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by P-Flipp:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by C hristian:
Started working for Starbucks recently. They show these videos about how incredible a company they are. Before I beleive them, I want to know if anyone knows anything about how they do business on either the macro or micro scale. And whether the good they do lives up to their training videos.

Thanks, c You work for a company that anti globilzation forces love to hate.They are known for exploiting the raw resources i.e coffee beans of poorer underdevolped countries for the sole purpose of the selling overpriced beuvrages thus raking in billions through "mc job" labour and brilliant marketing.Chris just go in and make that cash but don't take their propoganda seriously.Starbucks =The "Gap" of Coffee.
:D [/QUOTE]how is that any worse than any other capitalistic company? i mean , haven't you just defined business as usual for every other company? [/QUOTE]as you can see I'm not the biggest fan of Capitalism. graemlins/cool_shades.gif

[ December 04, 2003, 11:25 AM: Message edited by: P-Flipp ]

Digiman

12-04-2003, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by C hristian:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by P-Flipp:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by C hristian:
Started working for Starbucks recently. They show these videos about how incredible a company they are. Before I beleive them, I want to know if anyone knows anything about how they do business on either the macro or micro scale. And whether the good they do lives up to their training videos.

Thanks, c You work for a company that anti globilzation forces love to hate.They are known for exploiting the raw resources i.e coffee beans of poorer underdevolped countries for the sole purpose of the selling overpriced beuvrages thus raking in billions through "mc job" labour and brilliant marketing.Chris just go in and make that cash but don't take their propoganda seriously.Starbucks =The "Gap" of Coffee.
:D [/QUOTE]how is that any worse than any other capitalistic company? i mean , haven't you just defined business as usual for every other company? [/QUOTE]C hristian, you are right, however given the size and prominence of Starbucks the company, it's an easy target for anti-globalisation groups. What anti-globalizers fail to mention is that globalization tends to stop wars and evens out the employment playing field. Countries which engage in extensive interdependent trade tend not to want to start wars with each other. Big service companies outsource their call work to India, South Africa etc as the employment rate is cheaper. That may seem unfair to a US or UK resident but it results in much needed jobs for those areas thus levelling out the playing field.

Skip Intro

12-04-2003, 11:27 AM

Don't drink coffee but if I did I wouldn't be in there anyway. Cant be supporting Israeli terrorism. I know many who avoid Starbucks for the same reason.

DaveR

12-04-2003, 11:29 AM

dj c-los

12-04-2003, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by Mykhal:
Don't drink coffee but if I did I wouldn't be in there anyway. Cant be supporting Israeli terrorism. I know many who avoid Starbucks for the same reason. can you elaborate on that?
I'm curious. I haven't heard about that.
I might be on a Starbucks boycott if it's true.

C hristian

12-04-2003, 11:33 AM

Already checked F***company this morning. not much there. looking for other dirt.

I'm the biggest critic of capitalism, that's why i wanna investigate on this.

C hristian

12-04-2003, 11:35 AM

starbucks needs and has majic johnson to lead the entry into the inner city.

Digiman

12-04-2003, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by Mykhal:
Don't drink coffee but if I did I wouldn't be in there anyway. Cant be supporting Israeli terrorism. I know many who avoid Starbucks for the same reason. Is that like all the Western 'charities' who funnel millions of dollars to Yasser Arafat so that he can fund groups who send people packed with explosives into Israeli shopping centres with the expressed purpose of blowing up children?

SHEIK YERBOUTI

12-04-2003, 11:42 AM

Originally posted by C hristian:
starbucks needs and has majic johnson to lead the entry into the inner city. Well unless it's been updated, Starbucks is still on the NUD (Non Urban Directive)list.

http://www.soul2soul.blinks.net/custom2.html

mhd

12-04-2003, 11:43 AM

Originally posted by clos7:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by C hristian:
yeah, but $3 for a coffee and, according to SBX, they are reinvesting the money into the bean countries' community. Builing affordible medical facilities for their people, etc. Doing the social responsibility work for the communities around the retail stores, partnering with Magic Johnson to get the stores into the inner city and provide jobs, more community investment, etc. etc..

Watching latin american doctors go into tears b/c now they can take care of their people! <SBX>
Starbucks employee programming phase 1 complete.

Let's now show our new employee the video of a 3rd world country child enjoying a nice cup of Caramel Apple Cider. [/QUOTE]gotta give it up to you on that one

P-Flipp

12-04-2003, 11:46 AM

Originally posted by Digiman:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by C hristian:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by P-Flipp:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by C hristian:
Started working for Starbucks recently. They show these videos about how incredible a company they are. Before I beleive them, I want to know if anyone knows anything about how they do business on either the macro or micro scale. And whether the good they do lives up to their training videos.

Thanks, c You work for a company that anti globilzation forces love to hate.They are known for exploiting the raw resources i.e coffee beans of poorer underdevolped countries for the sole purpose of the selling overpriced beuvrages thus raking in billions through "mc job" labour and brilliant marketing.Chris just go in and make that cash but don't take their propoganda seriously.Starbucks =The "Gap" of Coffee.
:D [/QUOTE]how is that any worse than any other capitalistic company? i mean , haven't you just defined business as usual for every other company? [/QUOTE]C hristian, you are right, however given the size and prominence of Starbucks the company, it's an easy target for anti-globalisation groups. What anti-globalizers fail to mention is that globalization tends to stop wars and evens out the employment playing field. Countries which engage in extensive interdependent trade tend not to want to start wars with each other. Big service companies outsource their call work to India, South Africa etc as the employment rate is cheaper. That may seem unfair to a US or UK resident but it results in much needed jobs for those areas thus levelling out the playing field. [/QUOTE]Why can't Countries level their own playing with out the inflitration of big U.S Transnationals?Fairer global trade can make this possible.

Digiman

12-04-2003, 11:51 AM

Originally posted by P-Flipp:
Why can't Countries level their own playing with out the inflitration of big U.S Transnationals?Fairer global trade can make this possible. Because the big US companies hold all the cards and that's just the way it is. No govt. or international bank is going to stand up to campany which rakes in a sizeable percentage of an entire countries' GDP. Sad but true.

D J 1 3 8

12-04-2003, 12:05 PM

Heard this from a friend about a friend of his. Can't verify it's truth, but I do trust the source.

He had a nice coffeeshop in some town in the U.S. - can't remember the city. His location was just OK when he opened, but within a few years, that particular corner had become a great location due to high pedestrian traffic generated by other surrounding businesses.

Starbucks approached him and offered him a fair price for his establishment. He respectfully declined, as the money was rolling in and he had built up the business from scratch so he was very attached to it.

3 months later Starbucks contacts him again, this time offering almost DOUBLE their original offer. He was kind of insulted, as he had been clear with them that he intended to keep the business. Again he declined.

6 months later, Starbucks bought the entire building and kicked his ass out when his lease was up.

Legal? sure.
Ethical? Not to me, but business is business I suppose.

[ December 04, 2003, 12:07 PM: Message edited by: DJ 138 ]

Skip Intro

12-04-2003, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by Digiman:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Mykhal:
Don't drink coffee but if I did I wouldn't be in there anyway. Cant be supporting Israeli terrorism. I know many who avoid Starbucks for the same reason. Is that like all the Western 'charities' who funnel millions of dollars to Yasser Arafat so that he can fund groups who send people packed with explosives into Israeli shopping centres with the expressed purpose of blowing up children? [/QUOTE]I don't see one of these charities in every neighborhood across the country nor do I see a high majority of the US population between the ages of 25-40 toting around cups with a Hamas logo on it.

MarkK

12-04-2003, 12:54 PM

Why is that not ethical? They wanted the property. The offered him double what its probably worth. He said no, his right, so they found another way.

Its not like he was operating a free clinic for babies. He was a businessman. He is in to make money, so is Starbucks. It sounds like HE let emotion get in the way of business.

CHRISTIAN: Don't start finding reasons to hate yet another job. You have been there a few days and already you are complaining? If the company's ethics/reputation is so important, why not investigate before taking the job, or better yet, before applying?? With respect, mark

Originally posted by DJ 138:
Heard this from a friend about a friend of his. Can't verify it's truth, but I do trust the source.

He had a nice coffeeshop in some town in the U.S. - can't remember the city. His location was just OK when he opened, but within a few years, that particular corner had become a great location due to high pedestrian traffic generated by other surrounding businesses.

Starbucks approached him and offered him a fair price for his establishment. He respectfully declined, as the money was rolling in and he had built up the business from scratch so he was very attached to it.

3 months later Starbucks contacts him again, this time offering almost DOUBLE their original offer. He was kind of insulted, as he had been clear with them that he intended to keep the business. Again he declined.

6 months later, Starbucks bought the entire building and kicked his ass out when his lease was up.

Legal? sure.
Ethical? Not to me, but business is business I suppose.

Erob the One

12-04-2003, 01:17 PM

Their coffee will give you some slick bowels too if you are not careful!!!!!

Erob

DJ RON C

12-04-2003, 01:54 PM

Christian, here is the deal.

If you want to make any money at starbucks-immediately go for being a shift supervisor or joining the RMT management training program. There is more money to be made and store managers (depending on the store size) can make anywhere from $32K to $55K.

Another perk is that one a week, you get a free pound of coffee. Stock up on it and sell it on the side-yuppies love that crap-so you can sell it and make a tidy side profit.

I hate Starbucks coffee. But I get a free pound a week (I have a connect) and when I bring it to work, they treat me like a superstar because they act like that shit is gold. I bring it to get rid of it because it is too strong and bitter.

But if you are going to work there-don't just get your check, get over! graemlins/cool_shades.gif

C hristian

12-04-2003, 05:23 PM

thanks all.

Mark, in an ideal world, I would investigate before, but that is not my situation.

ultimately, I want to work for myself, or for some organization i can be proud of.

during the training, they show you these videos, of course, to bolster moral and such.

I just want to know what the real deal is. are the videos speaking truth or is there another side? I need to know for myself.

will i be there just for the paycheck or more? actually, the person whom i like there is the sotre manager. she's really great. i'll probably stay around because of her.

I'm not building hate up, anymore than i have for the system. i'm just doing what i always do. Investigating every corner that i can.

thjanks for the info y'all.

Mack-Williams

12-04-2003, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by Beatdown:
Christian, here is the deal.

If you want to make any money at starbucks-immediately go for being a shift supervisor or joining the RMT management training program. There is more money to be made and store managers (depending on the store size) can make anywhere from $32K to $55K.

Another perk is that one a week, you get a free pound of coffee. Stock up on it and sell it on the side-yuppies love that crap-so you can sell it and make a tidy side profit.

I hate Starbucks coffee. But I get a free pound a week (I have a connect) and when I bring it to work, they treat me like a superstar because they act like that shit is gold. I bring it to get rid of it because it is too strong and bitter.

But if you are going to work there-don't just get your check, get over! graemlins/cool_shades.gif Yo, Ron can you hook me up with a pound of that.

Cookiehead Jenkins

12-04-2003, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by C hristian:
yeah, but $3 for a coffee and, according to SBX, they are reinvesting the money into the bean countries' community. Builing affordible medical facilities for their people, etc. Doing the social responsibility work for the communities around the retail stores, partnering with Magic Johnson to get the stores into the inner city and provide jobs, more community investment, etc. etc..

Watching latin american doctors go into tears b/c now they can take care of their people! And you really can't have sick women and children working in the fields, factories and on mountainsides, now can you?