Starbucks and Diversity

Starbucks and Diversity

On an average day, each Starbucks location serves approximately 500 customers. As it would happen, serving widely adored coffee is not their only mission. Neither the warm atmosphere nor the constant, friendly chattering of customers is the concentrated goal of Starbucks Coffee Co. The decision to embrace diversity, act with excellence, create exultant customers through a positive environment, look to the future and finally, brew flawless coffee is values and goals considered daily. Each is a tool by which Starbucks is fueled. The mission of Starbucks is to inspire as well as nurture the human spirit through serving coffee.

Starbucks Coffee Co. has created a culture that embraces diversity. It is dedicated to providing a workplace for its associates without discrimination. Starbucks encourages its associates to use their talents, create new experiences, and share perspectives. The company thinks the combination of the qualities aids in making Starbucks successful. Their culture does not end with internal associates. It extends to its partners, customers, suppliers, and communities (Diversity at Starbucks, 2012).

The CEO of Starbucks Co., Howard Schultz, is the face of Starbucks to the associates. He is the one holding town hall meetings to discuss current company issues. He is also the front man answering direct questions from the store managers. During the 1980s, Starbucks made a decision to offer health benefits to part-time associates. At that time, not many companies included their part-time associates in their benefit plans. Since that time and because of rising costs, the company is paying more for associate benefits than coffee it is serving to customers. The company views its associates as partners. After one town hall meeting, Howard Schultz was reviewing his notes from the meeting. Schultz (2005) stated, “People aren’t interested in how much you know, it’s how much you care” (para. 7). This mindset is a direct reflection of...