|
Pour Your Heart Into It, How STARBUCKS Built a Company One Cup at a Time (平装)
by Howard Schultz(Founder and Chairman of Starbucks), Dori Jones Yang
| Category:
Motivation, Entrepreneurship, Business, Leadership |
| Market price: ¥ 180.00
MSL price:
¥ 168.00
[ Shop incentives ]
|
| Stock:
In Stock |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Inspiring, motivational and heart-warming, this story serves as another testimony that imagination drives great business success. |
| If you want us to help you with the right titles you're looking for, or to make reading recommendations based on your needs, please contact our consultants. |
|
| |
AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
|
|
Michael Erisman, USA
<2006-12-20 00:00>
This is one of the best business biographies I have ever read. It is truly inspiring. One simple, and telling, output from reading this book on a plane was that as soon as we landed I headed to the local airport Starbucks for a latte. I rarely even drink coffee! So powerful are the imagery and the passion for coffee in his story that you can almost smell the roasted dark beans, feel them running through your fingers, hear the sounds of the espresso machine and taste the coffee itself!
Why is this imagery so important? Because behind the corporate image of a relentless pack-man like machine churning out new locations at a rate slightly above the national birth rate it seems, is a simple vision of passion for coffee combined with Italian neighborhoods and a warm and friendly place where the worlds best coffee and social friendship intermix. That is what Starbucks was all about.
The book itself is a remarkable insight into this journey. It was even more special for me, as I grew up with Starbucks - literally. When Howard talks about the vision he had to treat even his part time employees with full benefits and ownership in the company through stock, I know it was more than just a nice sounding corporate manta, it really worked. Friends I went to high school with in Bellevue in the mid to late 1980's worked at the first stores, and raved about this little coffee company and couldn't imagine working anywhere else. So, from firsthand experience I can tell you that what he says about the passion and vision coming to life in Seattle is all true.
While company history is quite interesting, and the book itself just hums and glides without ever getting mundane, the real gems are in the emotional reality Howard displays. He talks about being overwhelmed to tears, about the rejection he faced while trying to get funding for his fledgling company, about the naysayers and others who nearly took it all away, and the struggle with having a hand in everything and slowly letting go. You know that you are reading about a real person, someone who came from a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn with working-class roots, not an image generated by a large corporations PR spin doctors.
The value of people, so often lost in corporate bureaucracy, is evident here. Starbucks grew because it struck an emotional chord with people. He knew that in order for the company to be successful he needed people who shared the values. This is often spoken of, and rarely practiced in the corporate world where systems, forecasts, processes and other such tools become the focal point, and the simple fact that all results come through people is lost. He speaks throughout the book of people who helped him, coached him, mentored him, challenged him, and made the company what it was. One quote in particular summarizes his views: "If people relate to the company they work for, if they form an emotional tie to it and buy into its dreams, they will pour their heart into making it better." (Page 6) This theme comes through in every decision.
Overall, this is a wonderful book, and is truly inspiring. I would work for him tomorrow, if it really still is the way it's portrayed here. I encourage you to read this book and see your neighborhood Starbucks in a new light. |
|
|
Michael Gordon, USA
<2006-12-20 00:00>
This is an excellent book about an entrepreneur who understands the business world. First, Starbucks understands the "personal touch" - from its name, to its unique coffee brand names (Frapuccino, for instance, whose origins are discussed in detail in the book), to the style of the stores, to its pricing system, and even understands its customers. Starbucks realizes that its typical client is upscale, affluent, college- educated, left-of-center politically (and thus the focus on "fair trade," and all the environmental goals they set out to enforce as a company).
There were things I did not know before I read this book. For instance, the amount of training each barista receives - enough training to discuss the various coffees in great detail. In fact, because Starbucks trains its employees to such a large extent that it is fearful of allowing any franchisers to run Starbucks because then they would not be assured of the quality control of the company. That is certainly debatable, of course.
Starbucks provides its workers with incredible benefits, as we all know, but I didn't know how strong those benefits were. On top of your salary, you receive 14% in stock options (which, in most companies, are reserved for higher-level managers and executives), and health insurance, even for part-timers. Well, looks like the high prices for the coffee go someplace!
Starbucks is not Wal-Mart, however. Coffee competitors need not fear Starbucks, Schultz says, because, after all, he charges more than his competitors do.
One irritating part of the book is that he refers to his coffee as gourmet or exceptional at least 20 times, which can be a bit tiring. Yes, I understand the point! Your coffee is good. Point headed. ; )
In any case, this book was fairly well-written and had a conversational tone to it. |
|
|
Van H. Dai , USA
<2006-12-20 00:00>
First of, this is a marketing propaganda written by Howard Shultz to impart familiarity and intimacy for his company. To this extent, it is an emotional, inspiring, and enthusiastically well written piece, and it successfully leaves me understanding the company all the more. It is a great read and very fun to read. I feel a certain understanding for Starbucks now... but... it is true?
I was too young to experience what Starbucks was like back in the good old 80's when it all got started and I didn't wasn't much of a coffee drinker during the 90's. I'm not sure what it was like in the past, but I know for a fact that on the majority, Starbucks of present falls far below the ideal and vision that Howard Shultz paints in this book.
The idea and vision is so picturesque when you read it that you almost forget about the actual experience of your most recent visit at a local Starbucks. I've visited some Starbucks in which the espresso drinks were too sweet, coffee was not brewed correctly, and the baristas just plain rude. Often times, I don't get greeted. Nor do I get a thank you for your patronage. Don't get me wrong there are some great employees working there, but on the whole, they fail to live up to the expectations presented in this book.
Where's the romance? The camaraderie he envisioned in his original Starbucks? Maybe it existed long ago, but it certainly does not exist anymore. The romance of hearing milk frothed is no longer romantic or even "cool." The baristas lack the qualities that Shultz portrayed in the Italian baristas. There's no sense of the romance at all.
Read this book for the enjoyment of it, and come away knowing that a disparity exists between Shultz's romantic vision of the espresso experience and the actual experience of today.
If you hope to start your own coffee shop or any business for that matter. I would highly recommend this book for its attempt and success at providing vision and guidance and experience in starting your own coffee shop (or business). In that respect, you will be richer for reading the book.
But just don't read it and believe that the ideals envisioned in this book still stands as it is today. Starbucks is far from this picture of perfection. They must crack down on quality and go back to its roots - the experience. 4 stars for a very enjoyable and inspiring blend of fiction/non-fiction!
|
|
|
Mark Ahn , USA
<2006-12-20 00:00>
Schultz goes from his early childhood, to his first experience with high quality coffee, from opening his first store, to opening his thousandth store, but what distinguishes this book, is not the technical aspects of how stores are opened, but rather how his passions and beliefs have guided Starbucks through a series of incredible accomplishments. The book is inspiring because Schultz comes from the Projects of New York and is able to rise to becoming the creator of a multi-billion dollar company. It is motivational because he works so hard and is able to successfully guide Starbucks through what many would believe to be the impossible. And it is heart-warming because he is able to reach his goals without compromising on his moral principals and beliefs. I read this book because I am interested in opening up a coffee shop and wanted some answers on technical aspects of designing and costs. I was surprised to find so much more than just that, I found all the emotions that happen at every stage of this entrepreneur and all the inspiration I'm going to need to do this… |
|
|
An American Reader, USA
<2006-12-20 00:00>
This book is as much of a story about trusting yourself as it is business. Unlike other entrepreneurs with a history with their product, he stumbled upon his. Schultz eventually buys out his partners, the original coffee guys. Even if you don't like Starbucks (I still root for independent coffeemakers), it's a good read. I'm glad to know that the company has health benefits even for part time workers and other employee perks. This information is what stands him apart from so many other top decision makers. Yes, it's possible to make a lot of money AND treat employees well. Starbucks' success is obvious on every city block. Schultz does fluff the book a bit but overall it's a good view on how Starbucks became what it is today. |
|
|
Stephanie Chandler, USA
<2006-12-20 00:00>
I read this book over a year ago and still find myself recommending it to others. The story is interesting for a number of reasons. 1. We all visit Starbucks and many people have no idea that it started as a small bean shop in Seattle. 2. Howard Schultz's personal determination and drive is inspiring. 3. Anyone who owns or manages a business will get an insider's look at the ups and downs of growth.
The writing style is conversational and easy to read. Though Schultz occasionally comes off a bit arrogant, he has certainly earned the right! I would like to believe that it's really pride mistaken for arrogance. And besides, you can't get ahead in the business world without confidence and a belief in your own abilities.
Whether you are business-minded or just curious about how Starbuck's got its start, you are sure to enjoy this book. You will also learn some interesting bits about the coffee industry. If this were television, it would combine a Discovery Channel show on the coffee industry with a CNN report on a thriving business. One of my all-time favorite business stories! |
|
|
Ashwin, India
<2006-12-20 00:00>
For starters, this is one very interesting and readable book, that's kind of hard to put down once started! It has an autobiographical narrative style, and has a refreshingly honest touch to it, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
The actual tale itself is one of struggle & success, it's about one man and his team going through various trials and tribulations and achieving their dreams. And as this tale proceeds from chapter to chapter, the reader starts to draw his/her own learnings and makes mental notes of what to do and what not to do at their workplace. And therein lies the power of this book - it does not aim to preach or prescribe a method, but is an honest-to-god description of a great business leaders approach to how he addressed some of the issues he faced & achieved what he wanted to. The book itself seems to have gone through the same process of creation as a Starbucks store (as described in the book) & one can almost feel the passion and eye for detail as one leafs through its pages, quite truly the book reinforces many of the values that Starbucks itself stands for.
In addition to being all the above, the book is a complete eye opener for anyone involved in the marketing of services to consumers. The hidden lessons in this book are many, and this book should appeal to wide ranging audience for its wonderful storyline. It's a good buy & looks wonderful on the shelf! |
|
|
Andrew McCullough, USA
<2006-12-20 00:00>
What a great read! This is a story of how Starbucks changed the world. Howard Schultz, the CEO, tells the history of Starbucks starting with its founding in 1971 up until 1999. Schultz tells how he came on board, later bought the company and its sky-rocketing growth.
Schultz was working for a Swiss company that sold kitchen items. He noticed this small little specialty coffee store in Seattle was buying more plastic filters than anybody and he decided to see why. What started as curiosity quickly grew to a obsession that he had to leave his job as VP, move from NYC and start working for them. Schultz's business like sense and vision took the company to heights it had never imagined.
A critical point is when he visited Italy and saw how community coffee shops with their baristas and Cappuchinos were exactly what Starbucks needed. The owners didn't think so and he left Starbucks to venture on his own. Later Starbucks was up for sell and he raised the capital to buy them out and merge his Italian coffee shop idea with the specialty coffee store.
What you find in this book is a great leadership wrapped in a compelling tale. It reads like a novel but the lessons are like what is found in the best leadership or business books. Schultz explains why it is worth it to take risks, value the customers, value the employees and stick to the mission no matter what.
Starbucks with its passionate leader changed the world. Before 1971, hardly no one drank strong coffee, heard of Cappichinos or believed you could build a company giving benefits to part-time workers. no one but him believed Chicago or other parts of America would buy his what he was selling. Yes, he made money. But he started a revolution and changed the world.
The book gets a little slower in the 2nd half when Schultz has to defend his critics and stay on top. But its compelling none the less.
I highly recommend it with a good cup of Gold Coast - my favorite.
|
|
|
|
1 Total 1 pages 8 items |
|
|
|
|
|
|
