Why the Starbucks Store Design Changed in the 2000s

The Starbucks store design on display

What makes the Starbucks store design stand out? When did Starbucks change the aesthetic of its stores? In the 2000s, Starbucks went through a technological and aesthetic overhaul. In addition to receiving semiautomatic coffee machines and laptops, Starbucks stores also got a new look for a cozier atmosphere. Here’s how former CEO Howard Schultz rationalizes the decisions behind these innovative changes.

How to Treat Good Customers (& Weed Out the Bad)

A boss shaking hands with a man to appeal to customers

Which customers are worth letting go of? How do you know who your most valuable customers are? Mike Michalowicz says that an important component of the quality mindset in business is focusing your time, energy, and resources on your most valuable customers. Not every customer is going to be a good customer, so you need to learn how to differentiate between the bad and the good. Take a look at how to treat customers that will help or hurt your company down the line.

Starbucks’s Social Responsibility: 3 Efforts to Make a Change

A Starbucks sign in front of grass, representing Starbucks's social responsibility

How does Starbucks help the environment and society? How was Starbucks involved in the 2008 American presidential election? Howard Schultz says that customers are drawn to Starbucks because of its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In 2008, Starbucks took on three new social initiatives to reach out to the public and help people in need. Discover more about Starbucks’s social responsibility efforts.

Customer Experience at Starbucks: 3 Areas That Stand Out

Employees serving people as part of the customer experience at Starbucks

Why do people love Starbucks so much? What’s the customer experience at Starbucks like? When Starbucks was in desperate need of a new business model, one of Howard Schultz’s areas of focus was customer service. Schultz made changes in three key areas: improved communication with customers, polished store design and operations, and renewed social and environmental commitments. Let’s explore each of those areas now.

The Starbucks Business Model After 3 Turnaround Strategies

A Starbucks sign that represents Starbucks's business model

What’s the Starbucks business model? What business principles did Howard Schultz bring to Starbucks? As CEO, Schultz made a multitude of decisions that helped Starbucks survive the financial crisis. In total, he made three turnaround strategies: overhauling Starbucks’ management, improving its financial standing, and enhancing the coffeehouse experience. Let’s discuss these decisions and how they left Starbucks in good standing by the end of 2009.

Starbucks’s Management Strategy Under Howard Schultz

A Starbucks employee holding a coffee cup as part of the Starbucks management strategy

What was Starbucks’s management strategy after Howard Schultz’s return? Why did the company’s management need to be overhauled? After returning to Starbucks, one of Schultz’s initial turnaround strategies was to completely overhaul the company’s management. There were three major changes Schultz made to accomplish this strategy: hiring new executives, securing emotional buy-in from executives and managers, and reaffirming key values in Starbucks’ management strategy. Continue reading to delve into these three major changes.

How Howard Schultz’s Leadership Style Saved Starbucks

Former CEO of Starbucks Howard Schultz smiling

What is Howard Schultz like as a leader? How did Schultz help Starbucks out of a rut? In 2008, Howard Schultz made his official return to Starbucks. In his first few months as CEO, he used two strategies to project a reassuring image to both internal and external stakeholders: strong communication and timely action. Let’s look at these two elements of Howard Schultz’s leadership style.

Howard Schultz: Starbucks’s Savior During Financial Trouble

Howard Schultz, Starbucks's former CEO, smiling on stage

Why did Howard Schultz return to Starbucks in the mid-2000s? How did Schultz make a smooth transition back into the CEO role? During a grave position at Starbucks, Schultz stepped in as CEO for the second time in 2008 to steer the company in a better direction. In his book Onward, he discusses his motivation for reprising his role as CEO and the leadership strategies he used to restore stakeholders’ trust in Starbucks. Discover more about the process behind Schultz’s return to Starbucks.

The 2007-2008 Starbucks Crisis: What Led to Its Near Defeat?

A closed sign on the window of a Starbucks store that shows a Starbucks crisis

What was the Starbucks crisis in 2007 and 2008? What caused Starbucks stocks to drop at a worrying pace during this time? By the mid-2000s, Starbucks was in a great place as a franchise. However, the decision to focus on rapid growth over in-store experience led to customer complaints, dropping stocks, and slow financial growth. Continue reading to learn about the factors that led to Starbucks’s downfall.

3 Ways to Monetize Content Online: Advice From Nicolas Cole

a piggy bank on a desktop computer in a home office illustrates how to monetize content

Have you ever wondered how to turn your online writing into a profitable venture? Are you curious about the different ways to monetize content? The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole identifies three main methods for making money from your online writing. You’ll learn about paid access, employment opportunities, and advertising strategies that can help you turn your passion for writing into a sustainable income stream. Keep reading to discover which content monetization method might work best for you and your audience.