Jerry Bellune September 30, 2013
September 30, 2013
September 30, 2013
Two friends are considering opening a small cafe.
Their market is crowded with cafes and restaurants.
They want to make theirs unique and appealing.
This husband-wife team are gourmet cooks.
They also know that running a business takes skill.
You can have the best products and service.
You must attract and retain your Dream Clientele.
And you must be willing to try new ideas.
I don’t recommend they copy Starbucks.
Howard Schultz has the franchise on coffee shops.
And he has developed a cult-like following.
But I recommend my friends consider his philosophy.
Starbucks has more than 19,000 stores worldwide.
Schultz wants to expand their scope and appeal.
“We cannot be content with the status quo,” he says.
“Any business today that embraces the status quo as
an operating principle is going on a death march.”
He plans to turn morning cafes into all-day ones.
To do that, Starbucks plans a series of new offerings.
• Wine and healthy fare like quinoa and kale.
• Modern drive-throughs at 900 new U.S. stores.
• Stores inside department stores and retail shops.
• Super coffee shops like one just opened in Beijing.
It offers coffee bars and coffee workshops.
Starbucks is moving into other ventures such as:
• Buying juice, tea and pastry makers.
This gives it new food and beverage lines.
• Strategic partnerships with other food vendors.
Schultz sees this working as its all food and drink.
“These are businesses we are already in,” he says.
But he recognizes growth brings its own problems.
His solution: Disciplined decision making.
Our friends don’t aim to be another Starbucks.
But the lesson is clear. Innovate or die.
That’s what visionary leadership is all about.
Want an autographed copy of my leadership book?
“Lead People, Manage Things” is only $20.
The money goes to our literacy tutoring program.
Email me at [email protected]
Next: Forsake the status quo.
© 2013 The Bellune Company, Inc.
Jerry Bellune teaches business owners the strategies that have made theirpublishing businesses successful. Contact him at [email protected]
