Starbucks – A Simply Big Plan
High-quality beans, attention to detail and superior customer service. That was the beginning of a plan that built Starbucks from a small coffee shop in Seattle, Washington to the largest coffeehouse company in the world. With over 13,000 stores worldwide, they continue to open seven stores per day. Starbucks is an example of a simple plan that resulted in big success.
The Starbucks Mission Statement reads: “Establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles as we grow.”
Even with enormous growth, Starbucks has not wavered from their original plan. Their uncompromising principles include making Starbucks a great place to work. Happy employees mean happy customers. In 1988 the decision was made to extend health care benefits to part-time employees – something not traditionally done – and when the company's profitability improved, Starbucks provided all employees with stock options to share in the company's success. Employees also enjoy a paycheck well above the minimum wage.
Starbucks' Employees also feel they can voice their opinion and be heard. Hundreds of comments are turned in every year by employees and that feedback is reviewed by Starbucks within two weeks. This “Mission Review” ensures the company stays focused and true to the vision regardless of how big or busy it gets. And it encourages employees to speak their minds (without fear) on how to improve the company. Starbucks is a better company today, because what employees think matters to the overall success of the company.
These approaches work. While other national retailers experience high turnover rates, Starbucks' employees stick around. And customers are happy about that too. Employees want to make the company better, so they provide the best service they can. They want to remember your name and that your “regular” drink means a chai latté with soy milk and sprinkles of cinnamon and bitter chocolate.
Starbucks is a company with a plan and a vision and they know how to stay focused on their goals. The evidence is in the details – a smile with every cup of coffee.
Business School for Moms
In 1987, Howard Schultz purchased the small company and put his plan into action. On this day he said:
“All my life I have wanted to be part of a company and a group of people who share a common vision. I'm here today because I love this company. I love what it represents. I know you're concerned. I promise you I will not let you down. I promise you I will not leave anyone behind. In five years, I want you to look back at this day and say "I was there when it started. I helped build this company into something great."
Read this quote again, but think of it as if you are reading it to your family on the day you present your Family Plan. Your children will be able to say, “I was there when it started. I helped build our family into something great.”
Also, the “Mission Review” is a concept every family needs. Once you've created your plan, review it often. Allow your children to give feedback (without fear). They will feel more connected to the family if their voice is heard too.
