As Starbucks expands its empire to Europe, The Citizen Media, an online newspaper, asks if it has the same atmosphere as Starbucks in the United States.
The author of the article notes that Starbucks has been doing well in the European market with more than 20 locations in Paris and 30 in Madrid, amongst many others throughout European cities. While the company seems to be profitable, the author believes that the "Starbucks spirit" is not working out so well in Europe.
The main focus of Starbucks is to satisfy customers and keep them coming back. In England and France, however, the company's administration is allegedly having a difficult time with its employees. Starbucks is England has hired numerous experienced consultants to help them get through this "nightmare." The author tells of his personal experience in France, where the employees were unpleasant and not dedicated to their jobs.
The author claims that Starbucks does not understand the European culture where employees are not worried about losing their jobs and people do not understand the concept of getting their coffee "to go." The author suggests the company end new openings for a couple of years while Europeans get used to what the company does and stands for.
In my opinion, Starbucks does not need to hold back on new openings, but rather adjust to the European lifestyle. Starbucks is an American company in Europe; therefore, it should take on some of the qualities European customers find important. While the atmosphere is typically relaxed, the company should do even more to invite customers to stay. In regards to the employees, it may take a while for them to adapt to the company's standards; however, once they understand what Starbucks is about, they may begin to change. Starbucks should be willing to adapt to the European culture and lifestyle, though, regardless of employees and the lifestyle of the population.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Starbucks Celebrates Earthday
On April 22nd, Starbucks Coffee Canada celebrated Earth Day by encouraging customers to now drink their beverages from reuseable cups. This is the second year that Starbucks has given a complimentary cup of Cafe Estima Fair Trade Coffee to those who bring in their own reusable cup.
According to Colette Bennett, regional marketing manager of Starbucks Coffee Cananda, Starbucks wants "to encourage customers to share our passion to improve the world and help reduce waste by enjoying their daily coffee in a reusable mug." Bennett goes on to say, "as an incentive for customers to incorporate the reusable mug practice into their daily lives, Starbucks continually offers at $.10 discount to everyone who brings in their own mug to our stores."
I think that this is a great way to generate positive publicity for Starbucks Coffee Canada. It shows that the company is dedicated to the upkeep of the environment and it wants customers to adopt the same type of dedication. I believe if Starbucks in the United States were to do this, it would help to make a difference and it may do well. While it may only be a $.10 discount, customers would be more likely to bring in their own coffee cup.
Starbucks initiatives to support the environment, water, and education include: Post Consumer Fibre Cup, Ethos Water, Grounds for Your Garden, volunteering in the community, coffee sourcing, and addressing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Colette Bennett, regional marketing manager of Starbucks Coffee Cananda, Starbucks wants "to encourage customers to share our passion to improve the world and help reduce waste by enjoying their daily coffee in a reusable mug." Bennett goes on to say, "as an incentive for customers to incorporate the reusable mug practice into their daily lives, Starbucks continually offers at $.10 discount to everyone who brings in their own mug to our stores."
I think that this is a great way to generate positive publicity for Starbucks Coffee Canada. It shows that the company is dedicated to the upkeep of the environment and it wants customers to adopt the same type of dedication. I believe if Starbucks in the United States were to do this, it would help to make a difference and it may do well. While it may only be a $.10 discount, customers would be more likely to bring in their own coffee cup.
Starbucks initiatives to support the environment, water, and education include: Post Consumer Fibre Cup, Ethos Water, Grounds for Your Garden, volunteering in the community, coffee sourcing, and addressing greenhouse gas emissions.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Starbucks Workers Union
In an article published this past week by the Washington Post, David Segal exposes a "crack in Starbucks' image." Starbucks employee Daniel Gross says, "in my opinion, when it comes to its messages about its employees, this company has the greatest PR machine in the business."
The Starbucks Workers Union, affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World, is made up of Starbucks employees coming together for: increased pay and raises, guaranteed hours with the option of fulltime status, an end to understaffing, as well as a healthier and safer workplace.
Members of the Starbucks Workers Union, in its 2006 Starbucks Corporate Irresponsibility Report, claim that the company unlawfully opposes the organization of unions. The union claims if Starbucks "were socially responsible, it would comply with domestic and international labor and human rights standards, and would reinstate all illegally fired Starbucks Workers Union baristas. Valerie O'Neil believes that the reason the union has not taken off is because Starbucks employees are typically happy with their jobs.
Regardless of whether or not employees are happy, Starbucks has a social responsibilty to be fair to its employees. In treating employees unfairly, Starbucks is at risk at damaging its reputation. Without employees, the company will cease to exist.
The Starbucks Workers Union, affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World, is made up of Starbucks employees coming together for: increased pay and raises, guaranteed hours with the option of fulltime status, an end to understaffing, as well as a healthier and safer workplace.
Members of the Starbucks Workers Union, in its 2006 Starbucks Corporate Irresponsibility Report, claim that the company unlawfully opposes the organization of unions. The union claims if Starbucks "were socially responsible, it would comply with domestic and international labor and human rights standards, and would reinstate all illegally fired Starbucks Workers Union baristas. Valerie O'Neil believes that the reason the union has not taken off is because Starbucks employees are typically happy with their jobs.
Regardless of whether or not employees are happy, Starbucks has a social responsibilty to be fair to its employees. In treating employees unfairly, Starbucks is at risk at damaging its reputation. Without employees, the company will cease to exist.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Hear Music Record Label
In March, Starbucks teamed up with Concord Music Group to form a new record label, Hear Music. This new label will create relationships directly with recording artists and will distribute records at Starbucks locations, in addition to typical music channels.
Starbucks' Entertainment President, Ken Lombard says, "this announcement is a natural next step in our entertainment strategy. Hear Music will add tremendous value to the content offerings and distribution of great music Starbucks customers have come to expect. Hear Music will seek out unique and compelling artists from a broad range of genres to help them reach the widest audience possible."
Past collaborations between Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group include: Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company" and Sergio Mendes' "Timeless." Charles album has sold approximately 5.5 million copies worldwide and won eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Mendes received a Latin Grammy Award for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album of the Year and has sold nearly a million copies worldwide.
At the end of the month, Starbucks and Concord Music Group announced that Hear Music's inaugural CD release will be from music legend, Paul McCartney. The album is expected to be released early this summer and will be available at all traditional music retail outlets as well as Starbucks locations internationally.
Glen Barros, president and CEO of the Concord Music Group, says, "it is such a privilege to be able to present this amazing new album to the world. I believe that McCartney fans, like myself, will find that this album connects them to everything that they've always loved about Paul, yet also delivers a personal dimension that shows his continued evolution as an artist."
The creation of this new music label will launch Starbucks into a whole new dimension. The company shows that it is not only interested in providing customers with coffee, food, and coffee products, but it hopes to give them more. Starbucks is truly capitalizing on the Starbucks experience. This experience not only relies on the coffee and food, but also the atmosphere. Having Paul McCartney be the first artist to release an album is truly an honor. McCartney is essential in creating buzz for this new venture and will help to make the new label a success.
Starbucks' Entertainment President, Ken Lombard says, "this announcement is a natural next step in our entertainment strategy. Hear Music will add tremendous value to the content offerings and distribution of great music Starbucks customers have come to expect. Hear Music will seek out unique and compelling artists from a broad range of genres to help them reach the widest audience possible."
Past collaborations between Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group include: Ray Charles' "Genius Loves Company" and Sergio Mendes' "Timeless." Charles album has sold approximately 5.5 million copies worldwide and won eight Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Mendes received a Latin Grammy Award for Best Brazilian Contemporary Pop Album of the Year and has sold nearly a million copies worldwide.
At the end of the month, Starbucks and Concord Music Group announced that Hear Music's inaugural CD release will be from music legend, Paul McCartney. The album is expected to be released early this summer and will be available at all traditional music retail outlets as well as Starbucks locations internationally.
Glen Barros, president and CEO of the Concord Music Group, says, "it is such a privilege to be able to present this amazing new album to the world. I believe that McCartney fans, like myself, will find that this album connects them to everything that they've always loved about Paul, yet also delivers a personal dimension that shows his continued evolution as an artist."
The creation of this new music label will launch Starbucks into a whole new dimension. The company shows that it is not only interested in providing customers with coffee, food, and coffee products, but it hopes to give them more. Starbucks is truly capitalizing on the Starbucks experience. This experience not only relies on the coffee and food, but also the atmosphere. Having Paul McCartney be the first artist to release an album is truly an honor. McCartney is essential in creating buzz for this new venture and will help to make the new label a success.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)