“ When it comes to surrounding myself with people who can add value to the company, I look for experience and skill as well as people with like-minded values. I’ve always had a sixth scene about those who will be a good character fit, and as I began to explain the culture and values of Starbucks.”
Company culture is something that every startup and large company strives for and has difficulty maintaining as it grows. Starbucks is one of the few companies that has managed to keep its company culture alive even as it has grown, but there was a time when even Starbucks struggled to do so. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration or looking to learn from Starbucks’ example, whether they have a business of their own or not.
Key Notes:
“No Business can do well for its shareholders without first doing well by all the people its business touches.”
I believe this statement is very well-articulated. Many of the world’s largest and most successful companies, such as Amazon, follow this philosophy. In fact, Jeff Bezos has consistently prioritized his customers over profits throughout the years at Amazon. This approach has proven to be successful for the company.
“If not checked, success has a way of covering up small failures, and when many of us at Starbucks became swept up in the company’s success, it had unintended effects.”
Regardless of how successful you are, it is important to evaluate different scenarios and consider what might have happened if things were slightly different. This can be achieved by using the scientific method to test your theories in different circumstances and determine if any adjustments need to be made. By constantly evaluating and refining your approach, you can continue to improve and achieve success.
“It is very unusual for a founder to be able to manage his or her company through all phases of its evolution, especially in a turnaround situation.”
As a founder, it can be challenging to accept the idea of stepping down from your role, but it is important to know when to do so and when to take on more responsibility. Howard Schultz understood this concept and knew when to leave Starbucks and when to return to help save the company. It takes a strong leader to make these difficult decisions and do what is best for the business.
“Life is a sum of all your choices,” wrote Albert Camus. Large or small, our actions forge our futures, hopefully inspiring others along the way.”
Book Review 5 Stars
Erika Funny 
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