Mr. Howard Schultz is the Chief Global Strategist and Chairman of Starbucks. In 1982, he joined a coffee bean store called Starbucks in Seattle. After traveling to Europe, Schultz was inspired by espresso bars in Italy and resolved to transform Starbucks into a coffee-bar business. However, his idea was rejected by Starbucks management at the time. Mr. Schultz left and started his own company in 1985. Two years later, the original Starbucks management sold its Starbucks unit to Schultz and he expanded Starbucks' reach across the United States and overseas.

 

Mr. Schultz insisted that all Starbucks employees working at least 20 hours a week get comprehensive health coverage, including coverage for unmarried spouses. He also introduced an employee stock-option plan. These moves boosted loyalty and led to extremely low worker turnover.

 

In order to ensure mutually-beneficial relationships with the coffee producers, their families and communities, Starbucks adopted various policies in promoting a sustainable model for the production and trade of coffee, such as paying coffee farmers premium prices to help them make profits and support their families, and purchasing conservation and certified coffees, including Fair Trade Certified™, shade grown and certified organic, to promote responsible environmental and economic efforts.

 

 The four principles for the secret of Mr. Schultz’s success are: "Don't be threatened by people smarter than you. Compromise anything but your core values. Seek to renew yourself even when you are hitting home runs. And everything matters."

 

 

Sources:

http://www.myprimetime.com/work/ge/schultzbio/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Schultz

http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/csr.asp