Business Economics and Finance

ent">organization, expectations or guidelines which, prescribe
Introductionsuitable types of conduct by employees in certain
In today’s business world, business developmentsituations and organize the conduct of organizational
process is increasingly becoming important in theemployees towards each other. Kottler (1992)
running any business. As business enterprises continueobservers that, organization behaviour is the main
to intensify their efforts in reducing the costs andmotivating force that ensures the success of an
improving quality and service. Business developmentorganization. (Katter, 1992) Culturally, Starbucks is long
process in business is concerned with productterm oriented has one of its guiding principle is caring
production and service, and it entails the task offor the environment and the community which are long
ensuring the development of a product or services areterm aspects. To assist in defining its culture Starbucks
effective and efficient. Business development processhas outlined six main principles.
also involves managing products, distribution ofThe six main principles of Starbucks are stated as
products and services to clients and the examination(starbucks.com)
of the queue systems. Armstrong (2006) describes
business development process as “the field of study1. Provide the best work environment and treat on
that focuses on the effective planning, scheduling, useanother with dignity and respect.
and control of a manufacturing or service organization2. Appreciate diversity as an indispensable element in
through the study of concepts that affects thethe manner we do business.
organization”. (Armstrong, 2006)3. Relate the utmost standards of quality when making
This business report presents an analytical analysis ofa purchase, roasting and delivering of our coffee.
Starbucks’ business in terms in business4. Develop passionately satisfied customers at all the
development process, evaluation of the impact of thetime.
economic and business development process, and the5. Make a positive contribution to our environment and
obstacles which may hinder the business developmentour communities.
process in the company. The report will then give a6. Identify that profitability is vital to future success.
conclusion on the basis of the findings.(Fortune.com, 2002)
Corporation selectedOrganizational structures
Starbucks Corporation is a big multinational coffee andSetting up a suitable organizational structure requires a
coffeehouse chain/outlet company which is based instrategic planning and objective of the specific
United States. Starbucks currently is the biggestorganization by taking into consideration the aspired
coffeehouse company in the whole world, with aorganization culture, determining on proper organization
record number of 15,011 stores located in 42 countries.structure and recognizing the crucial activity areas in
(Starbucks Corporation, 2007)the organization. This is a vital fist step in developing
From where it was established in Seattle, Washington,organization structure and leadership. Campbell, et al
as only a local coffee bean roaster and seller,(1970) To Campbell, et al (1970) Organization structure
Starbucks has rapidly expanded. In the 1990s, theis a way of representing relations in an organization; it
corporation was establishing a new store eachshows how groups are interrelated in organization. In
workday, a tempo which continued into the 2000s.many cases organization structure is depicted in an
However domestic expansion has ever since slowedorganizational structure chart. Organization structure of
down, although Starbucks continues to spread out inan organization show the current management,
foreign markets. As at November 2007, Starbuckscommunication channels of the organization and how
Corporation had 8,505 company-owned coffeehousethey are coordinated. The vision of an organization can
outlets global: 6,793 of them located in the Unitedbe displayed in the organization structure. Starbucks
States while 1,712 are located in other countries andmanagement structure is a divisional type of structure
the U.S. territories. Besides, the Starbucks has 6,506which allows the corporation to be management to be
joint-venture or licensed outlets, and 3,891 of them aredivided in to department that manages their own
in United States and 2,615 are in some other countriesactivities through formulation their own objectives and
or in U.S. territories. This thus brings the total number ofgoals. This creates internal accountability and
locations (as at November 2007) to 15,011 worldwide.competitiveness. However the main office monitors
(Starbucks Corporation, 2007)and supervises all the business operations in individual
Critically examining the business development processstores to ensure that all conform to a particular
A central part of any successful and efficient ofstandard. Each coffee store headed by a manager,
business development is following a procedure of howand about 15 baristas. (Hoovers.com, 2007)
a company will evaluate a business suggestion or
concept, deciding if to continue with the concept andSystems and risk management.
create a business after deciding to go ahead. The fiveStarbucks’ strategy of expanding into
stages below assist formulate a straightforwardinternational markets
process one can pursue. The stages are not a strictStarbucks expansion to international market is
arrangement to pursue. But they offer important issuebecause of the need to gather and increase the
that a company needs to address when developingcompany’s market share and increase its
the business.financial base. Advancement in technology including
The Company Background and business ideacommunication efficiency and better international
The beginning of an innovative business idea orrelations has contributed to the promotion of
proposal can originate from different sources. The ideainternational trade. Increasing competition is another
may originate from a manager, the board room or aaspect that has enhanced the Starbuck’s
set of producers having a meeting. In spite ofinternational expansion. Through its international
circumstances the idea can be assessed andmarketing approaches Starbucks has been able to
evaluated to determine how valuable it is. Formeet its objectives. Starbucks management has had
Starbucks the idea came as a sells and marketingan obligation to further propel the company forward
manager on a leisurely The company was started inthus able to create and maintain a healthy international
1971 by three Seattle business entrepreneurs; Gordonmarketing culture within itself. (The Wall Street Journal,
Bowker, Jerry Baldwin and Zev Siegl, and began selling2001)
coffee as a whole-bean in Seattle's Market. The store
was named as Starbucks. At 1982, the venture hadStaying away from a franchising strategy
developed to five coffee stores, a wholesale ventureGenerally, franchising transfers the financial risks from
selling coffee mainly to area the restaurants and athe Starbucks to an individual business. Subsequently a
small coffee roasting facility. During the same period,benefit of Starbucks Corporation franchising would be
Howard Schultz who was working as a Viceopening many more new stores which will have less
President of USA for a Swedish house-ware,risk to Starbucks Corporation, and make more profits
Hammarplast Company in New York, selling coffee tothrough doing so. More so the company would have
various retailers which included Starbucks. By sellinglittle research and improvement costs since the
coffee to Starbucks Company, Howard was thenfranchisee is having greater familiarity of the local
introduced to Starbucks founders, who later recruitedmarket where the store is opening in relation to
Howard to bring to the Starbucks Company marketingdisadvantage of franchising is that Starbucks would
savvy Howard Schultz was only 29 and freshlyhave to give up some amount of management over
married joined the company as the retail sales andthe store, and also the manner it operates. Regardless
marketing manager. After one year, Schultz travelledof the high number of rules and directives that
to Italy Verona, for his first occasion on coffee buyingStarbucks Corporation would theoretically have in
tour.position for a franchisee, each one of the store would
As Howard leisurely walked through Milan pizzas onbe managed slightly different. In addition, in franchising
one day, he became motivated with a vision, as hethere is a danger of various stores omitting some of
observed that coffee drink was an essential elementthe menu to its standards, and instead picking and
of the passionate culture of the Milan people. He sawselecting what products (coffee equipment, music,
that the Italians began their day by taking Italian coffeebooks) to avail to the customers. Through keeping
at a coffee bar, after which they return later in theevery one the stores corporately owned Starbucks is
evening with their friend for more coffee. His researchable to manage and monitor all locations and
revealed that there were around 1,500 coffee bars inoperations and to ensure high employee relationships
Milan alone and over 200,000 in the entire Italy.and good customer care via steady management,
Howard believed then that given an opportunity,good store operation, and good location environments.
Americans could pay a premium price for a first-class(The Wall Street Journal, 2001)
cup of coffee coupled by a trendy, romantic
surrounding to leisurely take it. Excited about this ideaThe obstacles that may slow the future development
or thought, Howard went back to inform Starbucks'of the company
proprietors of his idea for a nationwide coffee storeCompetition from imitators
chain of modelled on the Italian style. However theStarbucks’ present and direct competitors in
proprietors were not eager and were not interested inAmerica are Diedrich Coffee, and Einstein/Noah Bagel
having a cafe business.Corporation (Hoovers.com). The rivalry, however, is not
Unconcerned, Howard formulated a business plan ofevenly balanced. Diedrich Coffee runs 370
his idea, videotaped various Italian espresso bars, andcoffeehouses located in 37 states and in 11 countries
then started searching for financiers. By 1985 April,(hoovers.com). Einstein/Noah Bagel Corporation runs
Howard had established his initial coffee bar, “Il460 bagel cafes in America (hoovers.com) Where as
Giornale”, where Starbucks coffee was served.Starbucks has got over 4,709 coffeehouse locations in
After the success Il Giornale's, Howard establishedmore than 20 countries (Hoovers.com). Thus it is
another coffee cafe in Seattle, later he opened a thirdapparent that Starbucks has hardly any key
one in Vancouver. The owners of Starbucks agreed incompetitors, and the rivalry has nowhere near
1987 to sell the stores to Howard In 1987 for $4 million,Starbucks’ volume of its operations. Starbucks
the “Il Giornale coffee bars” were then renamedCorporation is the leading coffee retailer, coffee
as Starbucks.roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the whole
Having a conviction that Starbucks one day would beworld. However smaller competitors, pose possible
in each neighbourhood in the USA, Howard put histhreats to the company, and may derail the expansion
focus on growth. Howard entered Chicago in 1987 andplan of the company. (Hoovers.com, 2007)
four years afterwards he established a store in LosCapital hold up in Expansions to global markets
Angeles, Howard continued with his ambitiousIn its plan entering foreign markets, Starbucks has
expansion program opened a store in District ofbeen using (Foreign Direct Investment) FDI market
Columbia in 1993. He later moved to global marketsentry which is the direct ownership of processing,
starting with Canada and then followed with othermanufacturing or assembling facilities in a target
countries.country by a Starbucks company. Hollensen (2004)
The financial challenges and Business operationexplains that in FDI organizations can transfer
Initially the company did not make any profits and itsresources to a developing country which has a good
losses nearly was double reaching $1.2 million in 1990customer base and then set up branches in any other
fiscal year from 1989 since overhead costs andregions or areas of the country the resources include;
operating expenditures swell with the expansion thattechnology, personnel and capital. However, the
was taking place. Starbucks made losses for threedisadvantage of this market entry strategy is that it
years straight, and the pressure was tough onshifts the financial risk from the individual to the
Howard. However, he kept his confidence of notcorporation. Thus holding up more financial resources
“sacrificing long-term integrity and values forthe Starbucks would have used to open up more
short-term profit.” By 1991 Starbucks sales rose bystores, not forgetting that the financial risk is squarely
84 %, and Starbucks turned very profitable. Come1992placed on the corporation. Another setback is that joint
Howard placed the company to the public offering $17ventures require a lot of market research and
for a share. However, as at present the company hasdevelopment expenses since Starbucks do not have
made a lot of profits over the years and its financialenough information of the new markets. This has seen
base has tremendously improved, thus finance maythe company investing a lot of many in setting up new
not be a limiting factor as for now.braches in foreign countries an aspect that can slow
Starbucks sells brewed coffee, espresso-based hotits expansion. (Kamm, et al, 2004)
drinks, hot and also cold drinks, snacks and productsIncreasing product line
for instance mugs and coffee beans. Starbucks hasInitially the company only sold coffee but over the
an entertainment division and Hear Music brand,years Starbucks as increased its product mix as a
Starbucks also markets music, books and film. A lot ofway of spreading risks and increasing sales. Currently
these items are seasonal or specific to the locality ofthe company has an entertainment division and Hear
the store. Some grocery stores sell StarbucksMusic brand, Starbucks also markets music, books and
branded ice cream and coffee. The corporation imagefilm.
is one of the main elements to its current success.
Starbucks has recognized that individuals don’tChart 1: Starbucks vs. Industry
just come for to take coffee; they come for theThe Chart compares Starbucks stock against the
ambience. People come to socialize, study, read or justaverage Special Eateries Industry. As shown in the
to enjoy the music as they drink their coffee.graph, Starbucks has clearly been a central force of
Understanding this, Starbucks try to make its coffeethe industry, since the industry average follow precisely
stores unique in one way or another which willthe same pattern, just a little below Starbucks, in past
generate an appealing ambience. Starbucks also has afive years (2001-2006)
distinctive setting for its locations; Starbucks focus on
having a lot of cosy seating to make people sense(Source: hoovers.com)
welcomed for them to stay more than they may haveConclusion
planned to. (Fortune.com, 2002)Business development involves stating an idea and
developing it to a business venture if the idea is viable.
Business development techniques that assisted theMainly there are five stages that such an idea can go
building of their flexible strategythough to successful be implemented. Overall,
Starbucks appears to be a well-built and well-rounded
The competitive advantage of Starbucks comes fromcompany, as a leader in the industry, Starbucks was
the fact that, Starbucks positions its products basedbuilt from a simple idea and it developed to attest how
upon quality and its image. Starbucks Corporationvaluable and feasible that idea was. The company has
created the coffee shop revolution in America, and itbuilt a very strong brand name which has assist
has had the capacity to be the public instructor onStarbucks to gain a substantial greater share of the
espresso coffee. Starbucks coffeehouse chain is thetotal market in contrast to its competitors. The
leading specialty of coffee retailer in the America, withmanagement has revealed to have ability to forecast
many locations in around the globe. Starbucksmarket trends and variations in consumer behaviours.
Corporation positions its products on a comparativelyStarbucks Management in addition has fashioned a
simple strategy. They sole centre on quality andcorporate culture which promotes soaring productivity
experience, instead of price. An evaluation of specialtylevels through their proficient employees. Financially,
drinks compared to its competitors discloses veryStarbucks Corporation is stable in spite of its rapid and
small differences. (Fortune.com, 2002)unremitting growth strategies. Starbucks Corporation
The corporation image is one of the main elements tohas done extremely well in establishing reliable,
its current success. Starbucks has recognized thatlong-term relations with its suppliers. For most part, as it
individuals don’t just come for to take coffee;has been indicated, Starbucks is reasonably very
they come for the ambience. People come to socialize,capable in most aspects of its business. In parts where
study, read or just to enjoy the music as they drinkStarbucks Corporation does perhaps need expertise,
their coffee. Understanding this, Starbucks try to makecompetencies, or skills, it has formed strategic pacts
its coffee stores unique in one way or another whichwith companies which are more effective and efficient.
will generate an appealing ambience. Starbucks alsoReference:
has a distinctive setting for its locations; StarbucksArmstrong. M. (2006): Handbook of Human Resource
focus on having a lot of cosy seating to make peopleManagement Practice, 10th edition, (Kogan Page)
sense welcomed for them to stay more than theyLondon,
may have planned to. (Fortune.com, 2002)Campbell, J, et al (1970): Managerial behaviour;
In addition Starbucks positions each one of its storePerformance and effectiveness New York:
individually in accordance to the definite location it isMcGraw-Hill.
located. This flexibility approach has contributed greatlyFindingdulcinea (2008): Starbucks: Out with the New, In
to the success of the Starbucks in the past years.with the Old." "Finding Dulcinea" January 12, 2008 ( )
Another significant aspect of Starbucks locations isaccessed on 8/2/2008
that they are usually environmentally friendly. Though(2002); Best Companies to Work For; Retrieved 10
other retailers locate themselves in related ways, noneFeb., 2008 on the World Wide Web:
of them focuses to the level at which Starbucks has.(2007) Retrieved 10 February, 2008 on the World
Currently consumers appear to respond to thoseWide Web:
companies that are environmentally friendly whoHollensen, S. (2004): Global Marketing, a
appear to really care about the world. (Puget SoundMarket-Responsive Approach, 2nd Edition, Essex, and
Business Journal, 1999)Pearson Education
Kamm, J.B., Frederick, R.E. and Petri, E.S. (2004):
The impact of the economic and businessInternational marketing strategies, Connecticut
development process on the companyKauser, S & Shaw, V (2004): The Influence of
The business culture of StarbucksBehavioural and Organizational Characteristics on the
Organization culture consists of ideas and beliefs aboutSuccess of International Strategic Alliances.
what types of aspirations members should employ toInternational Marketing Review 21, no. 1
attain these aspirations. Culture also entails values ofKotler, P.
an organization, values define the norms of the