Starbucks vs. the Four Functions of Management
When anyone mentions the word “coffee” nowadays, there is one thing that comes to mind more than any other: the little white mermaid in the green logo that almost everyone, everywhere has come to know as Starbucks. Starbucks is a worldwide company that started in Seattle at Pike Place market in 1971. Over the years utilizing an incredibly successful business model and a very aggressive expansion strategy, Starbucks has grown to a company which now has 15,756 stores in 47 countries becoming a global company who is an international superstar. Starbucks truly knows the four functions of management well. They have used planning, organizing, leading and control in regard to globalization, technology innovation, diversity and ethics to not only take their company global and be successful, but to stay successful as well. All in all “The Starbucks experience is about passion for a quality product, excellent customer service, and people.” (Starbucks, 2008).
Starbucks had to plan how they were going to expand from their first store to the many stores they have now at the end of 2008. They obviously knew how to work with partners from other countries to expand their business internationally. They wanted to make sure that, “Every store is part of a community, and we take our responsibility to be good neighbors seriously. We want to be invited in wherever we do business. We can be a force for positive action— bringing together our partners, customers, and the community to contribute every day”(Starbucks, 2008) Starbucks has to ship products from all over the world to their stores, knowing that each starbucks is going to give the customers the same experience at every store. They are also environment friendly. They recycle their grounds so no part of the coffee process goes unused. Coffee grounds are good for the garden. It gives plants a good amount of nitrogen which is essential to having them grow well....