The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! š
atoningunifex's review against another edition
I really tried with this one because my boss lent it to me when I started managing his cafe.
This is a book that feels like if was writing solely for the purpose of pleasing a crowd, not a collection of any true-to-heart thoughts. It didn't feel like there was any heart, passion or point, honestly - despite how much the author may have said so.
He also kept going back and forth between the different time periods of events, which made it hard to follow - especially being from a country where Starbucks and its company history is not extremely popular.
I won't rate any books I don't finish but what I read felt like the cheap plastic knock-off of real emotions.
This is a book that feels like if was writing solely for the purpose of pleasing a crowd, not a collection of any true-to-heart thoughts. It didn't feel like there was any heart, passion or point, honestly - despite how much the author may have said so.
He also kept going back and forth between the different time periods of events, which made it hard to follow - especially being from a country where Starbucks and its company history is not extremely popular.
I won't rate any books I don't finish but what I read felt like the cheap plastic knock-off of real emotions.
rissaleighs's review against another edition
1.0
I'd add a half star for the behind the scenes look at how a company weathered the recession. But in general I feel like this book serves up a venti-sized serving of narcissism-flavored Kool-Aid.
stephaniebooks's review against another edition
4.0
As both a customer of Starbucks and someone interested in the business world, I found this to be a fascinating read. There were some sections of 'businessese' that were a bit dense to read and difficult to understand, but Howard's passion for his company and his people rings true on every page.
arixen's review against another edition
3.0
Inspired in the beginning but lost me towards the middle and I was bored to the end.
chawnreads's review
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
It was really interesting to learn so much about the company but by the end it felt a self indulgent
m3richard's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
1.0
Other than the beginning, this was a terrible book filled with just overpraise for him and his team. He was so all over the place you'd expect Starbucks to be a failed business.
helenebd's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who worked (quite intensely) in the machinery of a fast-food coffee retailer, this book is riveting for me. While my brief foray into store management was for Dunkin, not Starbucks, a lot of this hits home. (Particularly since Dunkin's perspective on the coffee business is quite different.) The narrative on leadership is idealistic, but striking.
rick2's review against another edition
2.0
Empty and fairly hollow. Seemed like every story was written in a cautious way to not offend anyone or portray any sort of negative emotions. I started rolling my eyes every time the book mentioned how much they care about employees (sorry āpartnersā) or the beans or whatever. Show donāt tell.
I am genuinely curious as to how much input Howard actually had into this book. Felt like it went through multiple layers of PR reps and ghost writers until what emerged was a sugary substitute that might have once resembled something useful and interesting. But what resulted was an extremely watered down and boring book.
In that way, itās the perfect Starbucks book. Sugary and watered down, full of empty calories. I feel like I need a run to clear my head
I am genuinely curious as to how much input Howard actually had into this book. Felt like it went through multiple layers of PR reps and ghost writers until what emerged was a sugary substitute that might have once resembled something useful and interesting. But what resulted was an extremely watered down and boring book.
In that way, itās the perfect Starbucks book. Sugary and watered down, full of empty calories. I feel like I need a run to clear my head
danireneewood's review against another edition
4.0
On my Instagram, I'm a "Starbucks mermaid," and after finishing Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul, I am still more than thrilled to proclaim that I love Starbucks and will continue to be a proud Gold Card Member (going on seven years now, I don't think I've done anything else loyally for even half that long).
Schultz is authentic and informative in Onward, and I learned so much about the company and the company during the recession. I was only a freshman around the time the economy went south, so while I was aware of what was going on, I can't say I really understood what was going on.
Using my memories of Starbucks during that time also brought a level of understanding of what so many businesses were facing, and I come away from this book more knowledgeable than I was on that front.
If you're a Starbucks drinker, I highly recommend this read. I enjoyed it over several cups of coffee.
Schultz is authentic and informative in Onward, and I learned so much about the company and the company during the recession. I was only a freshman around the time the economy went south, so while I was aware of what was going on, I can't say I really understood what was going on.
Using my memories of Starbucks during that time also brought a level of understanding of what so many businesses were facing, and I come away from this book more knowledgeable than I was on that front.
If you're a Starbucks drinker, I highly recommend this read. I enjoyed it over several cups of coffee.