The Starbucks Experience

September 11, 2006
In this paean to "one of the truly exceptional American success stories," Michelli convinces the reader that Starbucks is a great company, but he stumbles when trying to extract "precepts that can enhance your business and your personal life." He explores the various levels on which Starbucks succeeds, from its generous HR policies and lively work environment to its attention to detail and genuine concern for social causes—all of which highlight how singular a company it is. (Michelli throws in the word "unique" as often as twice a sentence.) But when it comes to advice for businesspeople, his "simple, yet not simplistic" tenets are too vague to be very helpful. Michelli notes that he has no personal stake in Starbucks: "I am not
here to sell you on the company." But his enthused exclamations—"It is difficult to imagine all the great things that are yet to come for Starbucks"—give The Starbucks Experience
the ring of an authorized book. Still, the company's practices are undeniably innovative and inspiring, and even if most of them aren't directly relevant, there's surely something
in this book that's applicable to most businesses.

September 1, 2006
Michelli, a professional speaker, trainer, and consultant, takes an in-depth look at Starbucks's proven and practical strategies for building a successful, multinational corporation. His chapters illustrate the company's five basic success principles: make it your own, everything matters, surprise and delight, embrace resistance, and leave your mark. Readers will discover a rich mix of ideas and techniques that will help them apply the Starbucks vision, creativity, and leadership to their own careers, workplaces, and companies. Michelli shares fascinating information, e.g., the Starbucks employee turnover rate is 250 percent lower than the industry average, Starbucks has stores in 37 countries and averages more than 35 million customer visits each week, five new Starbucks stores open a day, and, perhaps most amazingly, Starbucks is not a franchise business. This book shows readers how employee motivation, excellent customer service and satisfaction, and community involvement build a great company. Most business collections will want to add." -Susan C. Awe, Univ. of New Mexico Lib., Albuquerque"

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.