The Starbucks Experience Are You Living It
As most of you know by now I am a “Starbucks Fan!” Not because their coffee is much different than other quality gourmet coffee, but because their leadership and business strategy mirrors that of another company I love A.L. Williams (Primerica Financial Services) when they first got started.
Well this last week I finished a great book that I strongly suggest every entrepreneur or future entrepreneur should read.
The name of the book is: The Starbucks Experience
Author: Joseph A. Michelli
Wake Up And Smell The Success!
I think we all know the story of Starbucks. And since 1992 their stock has risen a staggering 5,000%. In his book, Joseph shares the genius of Starbucks success. And, it doesn’t lie in the fact their coffee is the greatest. He shows how their ability to create personalized customer experiences, stimulates business growth, generates profits, energizes team players, and secures customer loyalty - all at the same time.
The Starbucks Experience contains a robust blend of home-brewed ingenuity and people-driven philosophies that have made Starbucks one of the world’s “most admired” companies, according to Fortune magazine. With unique access to Starbucks personnel and resources, Joseph uncovers that the success of Starbucks is driven by the people who work there - the “Partners” - and the special experience they create for each customer. Joseph reveals how we can follow the Starbucks way to:
· Reach out to entire communities
· Listen to individual team players and consumers
· Seize growth opportunities in every market
· Custom-design a truly satisfying experience that benefits everyone involved
This book is filled with real-life insider stories, eye-opening anecdotes, and solid step-by-step strategies; this fascinating book takes the reader deep inside one of the most talked-about companies in the world today.
For anyone who wants to learn from the best - and become the best - The Starbucks Experience is a rich heady brew of unforgettable user-friendly ideas.
After filling my Starbucks coffee mug, I sit down and started reading this wonderful book.
The first reflection I wrote on my 3×5 card was the five guiding principles of Starbucks that make up the foundation of all they do.
1. Make It Your Own
2. Everything Matters
3. Surprise and Delight
4. Embrace Resistance
5. Leave Your Mark
These five principles are simple but sure ring deep on how we should run our own businesses.
The second important reflection I gained was that Howard Schultz went through exactly what each of us have or may be going through as we launch our own home-based business.
“Early critics of Schultz’s vision maintained that he had happened upon a short-lived gimmick that would quickly fizzle.”
WOW! How many of us have had “Dream Stealers” try and take our dreams away because they just don’t get it?
The third reflection was that from the very beginning to its current dominance in the world of coffee, they became the category creator. Now don’t get me wrong, we all know Starbucks didn’t create “coffee” but they did create the “Experience” one associates with Coffee.
They rank in the same class as Coke, McDonalds, Krispy Kreem and Chic-Fil-A. When people think coffee, they state “I’m going to go get a “starbucks.” Until Starbucks came around the only place to get a cup of coffee (Fresh or Not) was a greasy spoon, grease pit, or some Vending Machine. Now there are quality gourmet coffee houses popping up all over the place.
I could go on and on. Let me leave you with this one parting through on this book.
Starbucks demonstrates on a daily basis that they know what they #1 asset truly is… The people they build relationships with ever and every day. Not just the consumers they serve, but the Partners they attract. It is this competitive advantage over traditional business that sets them apart. Day in and day out they touch and interact with their people.
They fully understand that “People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.” Hence the Starbucks Experience!
So ask yourself - Are you part of something BIG; something that can change the world and make it a better place? Something where you can make your dreams come true?
Are you sharing this Crusade with those you serve… your consumers and your business partners? If not, then start today!
Never Give Up,
Troy
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