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![Lessons In Love From Starbucks CEO [VIDEO] | Startup Revolution | Scoop.it](https://img.scoop.it/Wunb0D0KQhxdScQvSKN6aDl72eJkfbmt4t8yenImKBVvK0kTmF0xjctABnaLJIm9)
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Scooped by Martin (Marty) Smith |
Kristine Putt's comment,
August 10, 2013 4:24 PM
Is Starbucks in contradiction with "Love is the killer app" by advocating "Bring your gun to Starbucks day?" Does this move pose the question of brand integrity? What do they stand for, love or packing heat? To me, these seem to be conflicting brand personalities. http://mashable.com/2013/08/09/bring-your-gun-starbucks/
Martin (Marty) Smith's comment,
August 10, 2013 6:15 PM
My read on the guns at Starbucks is NOT that it is a brand event as much as a brand kidnapping by gun advocates. I don't see guns as consistent with Schultz stands on other issues and the over (what they stand to gain) is so tiny compared to the under (what they stand to lose) it feels like a brand kidnap more than anything Starbucks is behind. If Starbucks is saying Starbucks = support for guns then I stand corrected and your read is correct (DAMAGE). It just felt like a kidnap to me on reading the piece and any brand can be kidnapped at any time by anyone. Most strong brands, and I would put Starbucks in this group, bounce back since the overall truth wins out in the end (despite the kidnap).
Kristine Putt's comment,
August 10, 2013 7:06 PM
Yes, you're right. It does sound like a brand "kidnapping." Although, in an effort to protect its own reputation, I'm kind of thinking that it would be wise for Starbucks to "just say no" to this group - meaning, anyone coming in with a gun strapped to their sides would be 86'd. Imagine if something really terrible happened as a result of this "kidnapping" and Starbucks as faced with an upward battle to repair their brand reputation, all of which could have been easily avoided by simply not catering to the gun group. Not being negative, just looking at the possible outcome and weighing the risks. If it were my brand? No way, not a risk worth taking. Having said all this, absolutely love the original philosophy Starbucks was built on! I believe more brands are learning to embrace an empathic business platform. I hope so anyway :)
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Turning Around Starbucks & Startup Lessons
Starbucks lost its way. The company was hemoraging and their founder brought it back. This clip is from an awesome hour long video iterview with Howard Schultz chock full of great startup lessons such as:
* Share Everything.
* Be transparent, passionate and real.
* Love is the killer app.
* When you share you are VULNERABLE.
* Vulnerable feels bad but is good (and healthy).
* Greatness comes from facing hard things and creating plans.
* Vision isn't a small thing.
* Don't try to change people, surround yourself with believers.
* You can't FAKE love over time.
* When in doubt, keep turning the crank.
That last tip is from Martin's Ride To Cure Cancer, our 3,300 mile bicycle ride across America in the summer of 2010. Riding across America on a bicycle was the hardest adn best thing I've ever done. The key was plain and simple early - keep turning the crank (pedals).
I wrote about my personal vulnerability (having the Big C) on Google Plus:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/102639884404823294558/posts/Hx96PZRDe9i