Turning a culture around is very difficult to do because it's based on a series of many, many decisions, and the organization is framed by those decisions.
If you don't love what you're doing with unbridled passion and enthusiasm, you're not going to succeed when you hit obstacles.
Cutting prices or putting things on sale is not sustainable business strategy. The other side of it is that you can't cut enough costs to save your way to prosperity.
People have come to me over the years and said to me: 'I admire the culture of Starbucks. Can you come give a speech and help us turn our culture around?' I wish it were that easy. Turning a culture around is very difficult to do because it's based on a series of many, many decisions, and the organization is framed by those decisions.
I am concerned about any attrition in customer traffic at Starbucks, but I don't want to use the economy, commodity prices or consumer confidence as an excuse.
I never took classic business classes in college, so I don't have the background that any of the people running large companies have.
I'm optimistic about the country; I'm optimistic about the American people.
I've traveled around the world, and what's so revealing is that, despite the differences in culture, politics, language, how people dress, there is a universal feeling that we all want the same thing. We deeply want to be respected and appreciated for our differences.
Cutting prices or putting things on sale is not sustainable business strategy. The other side of it is that you can't cut enough costs to save your way to prosperity.
I believe life is a series of near misses. A lot of what we ascribe to luck is not luck at all. It's seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It's seeing what other people don't see And pursuing that vision.
We are witnessing a seismic change in consumer behavior. That change is being brought about by technology and the access people have to information.
In life, you can blame a lot of people and you can wallow in self-pity, or you can pick yourself up and say, 'Listen, I have to be responsible for myself.'
I really believe that you cannot use the stock market as a proxy for the economy.
People around the world, they want the authentic Starbucks experience.
California, in a sense, is almost Starbucks' largest country, with almost 3,000 stores.
When you start a company, it's a singular focus. You have the wind at your back.
Success is best when it's shared.
I always saw myself wanting to do something deemed successful and good at the same time.
Cutting prices or putting things on sale is not sustainable business strategy.
We are witnessing a seismic change in consumer behavior. That change is being brought about by technology and the access people have to information.