An Inside Look at Starbucks Coffee Essay

For my ethnography project, I decided to observe the Starbucks on Rockside Road in Independence, Ohio. My plan was to observe the subculture of Starbucks’ customers. A subculture is defined as a “structured social inequality or, more specifically, systematic inequalities between groups of people that arise as intended or unintended consequences of social processes and relationships.” My question was twofold. Does Starbucks appeal to certain social statuses? And if so, does Starbucks serve as another example of social inequality?

The Starbucks mission statement (“Our Starbucks Mission Statement,” 2011) comprises two important elements (a) an overarching statement of purpose, and (b) a set of “guiding principles” that interpret the meaning of the mission statement relative to six important aspects of the company’s business model (See Appendix for a complete description of the Starbucks mission statement). The overarching mission statement – “To inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time” – explicitly conveys the firm’s intent to extend its global presence

Starbucks Corporation, generally known, as Starbucks Coffee is the leading retailer and a brand of world’s forte coffee in the world, with more than 15,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim, wherever in this world where premium quality coffee is in demand. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world ahead of UK rival Costa Coffee, with 20737 stores in 63 countries and territories, including 11910 in the United States, 1496 in China, 1442 in Canada, 1052 in Japan and 772 in the United Kingdom. The first Starbucks was open in 1970. The name was inspired from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, a definitive American novel regarding the 19th century whaling industry. The nautical name matches seamlessly for a store that imports the world’s finest coffees to the cold thirsty people of Seattle. In May 1998, Starbucks have finally successfully entered the European market through its acquirement of 65 Coffee Company stores initially originated from Seattle in the UK. Both companies shared a common culture, focusing on a great commitment to customized coffee, similar company values and a mutual respect.

Starbucks use of strategic market planning is best displayed through their mission Statement “…inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time” (“Mission Statement”). Starbucks enforces their mission statement through product quality, customer care and community involvement. Their marketing plan and everything that they say, produce, sell, or advertise must align with their mission statement.

Starbucks' mission is a reason for the company's existence. With the unique style of combining both, our vision and mission statement is "to inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time." (Starbucks.com) To align with this mission statement, our new division's mission statement is to " bring the best quality coffee and convenience to our customers on the go, one machine at the time" This mission statement reflected the company value and beliefs to show our costumers that we care, it will also guide our employees on understand and establish what the company truly does. A good mission statement inspires employees and provides a focus and direction for strategic planning. While mission statements vary from organization to organization and represent the distinctness of each one, they all share similar components. (Mission and Vision Statements, 2010) The new division's mission statements include descriptions of Starbucks' target market, the geographic domain, and concern for survival, growth, and profitability.

1. In the beginning, how was Starbucks different from other coffee options for coffee drinkers in the United States? What activities and assets did Starbucks leverage to differentiate itself from competitors?

Millions of people all over the world will take time out of their day to walk into a Starbucks for a “cup of Joe”. Coffee is the most popular leading beverage that is enjoyed throughout the world and in so many different forms. You can get coffee just about anywhere, but there is a reason why people choose Starbucks coffee. Starbucks is known for their friendly, positive environment with staff that is truly accommodating and welcoming. People buy Starbucks for what it represents and the status image that comes along with it. Starbucks has an excellent business structure due to its national and global success. Starbucks stands strong in the world coffee industry and still is financially succeeding even in hard economic times with coffee that may seem overpriced to many.

Starbucks Corps had its gross account receivables for the year 2015 increase by 14.44% which led to its net receivables increase by $88,000,000 which translates to an increase of 13.95% of the net account receivables. This was followed by an increase in doubtful debts through the previous year by 6.12% to %6,700,000 from the ear 2014. This is due to the increase in the number also sales which led to the increase in account receivables and also doubtful debts in 2015. The risk that the company undertook also increases in line with the increase in account receivables.

Starbucks mission is to "inspire and nurture the human spirit-- one person, one cup, and one neighbourhood at a time.”

Coffee drinkers all have one thing in common; they want their coffee made to their specification. Most soft drinks, milkshakes, and draft beer are ready made. Coffee has many flavors and that can be an operational nightmare. Starbucks has 10 different types of coffee beans, 12 blends of flavors and loads of special toppings.

Starbucks advertises two essential mission statements. First and foremost, it strives to “establish [ourselves] as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while [we] grow(s).” (Starbucks) Reflective of its mission, Starbucks bases its strategic campaign and communications on six indispensable philosophies; structuring a pleasant work environment in which employees are treated with “respect and dignity,” incorporating diversity in all business aspects, purchasing, roasting and delivering fresh coffee, retaining satisfied customers, giving back to the community and environment, and developing

coffee in the world. The goal of Starbucks is to establish the company as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining the organization’s uncompromising principles. In addition, Starbucks wants to develop its brand beyond being the preferred outlet from which to purchase coffee to becoming the preferred consumer brand.

The elusive goal of customer satisfaction has long provided companies with endless headaches and difficult decisions. In the end, associating specific customer satisfaction metrics to company profit and loss would provide the undeniable proof needed to make changes, and then invest the required capital to address any concerns. Starbucks, not unlike the rest of the business world, has found itself in the same situation. At a basic level, the argument that more investment in customer service creates higher customer satisfaction has already been fundamentally agreed upon. However, more specifically, Starbucks must decide if a reinvestment of $40M annually in

Please answer all the following questions as they relate to the case. Please utilize as much outside resources as you deem necessary to reinforce your answers—especially the last question. Remember that this case is over 10 years old and Starbucks has changed since then.

Coming up with development goals to, facilitate growth. Growth is an important aspect that determines the progress of an organization and how completive it should be.