Scan barcode
kimberussell's review against another edition
3.0
This is the story of how Howard Schultz, once he became CEO (sorry, Howard, but I capitalize it) of Starbucks again, managed to turn around the company's finances during the recent recession by modernizing it while remaining true to its mission.
I enjoy going to Starbucks, so I was predisposed to enjoy the R&D and marketing stories of the various products (Pike Place Roast, VIA, Vivanno) that I'm familiar with. One thing this book proves is that Schultz knows and loves coffee! When he writes about coffee, his words seem to leap off of the pages and take on a life of their own. Make no mistake -- this is a CEO book. Victories are loudly and frequently trumpeted and defeats are quickly glossed over. There is frequent name dropping and back-patting.
Oftentimes, the narrative jumped back and forth through time. While I understand that it was to demonstrate how different projects and events came to pass, it was a bit jarring to go from Schultz being 4 months into his CEO post back in time to the meetings he had two months before he decided to take the post. Reading the transcripts from memos, meetings & earning calls grew tiresome. I work for a national corporation and once you've read one memo (especially the "shared sacrifice" type) you've read them all.
If you don't like Starbucks, I think this book will annoy you to no end. But if you like real-life stories of corporate derring-do, pick up this grande sized read.
I enjoy going to Starbucks, so I was predisposed to enjoy the R&D and marketing stories of the various products (Pike Place Roast, VIA, Vivanno) that I'm familiar with. One thing this book proves is that Schultz knows and loves coffee! When he writes about coffee, his words seem to leap off of the pages and take on a life of their own. Make no mistake -- this is a CEO book. Victories are loudly and frequently trumpeted and defeats are quickly glossed over. There is frequent name dropping and back-patting.
Oftentimes, the narrative jumped back and forth through time. While I understand that it was to demonstrate how different projects and events came to pass, it was a bit jarring to go from Schultz being 4 months into his CEO post back in time to the meetings he had two months before he decided to take the post. Reading the transcripts from memos, meetings & earning calls grew tiresome. I work for a national corporation and once you've read one memo (especially the "shared sacrifice" type) you've read them all.
If you don't like Starbucks, I think this book will annoy you to no end. But if you like real-life stories of corporate derring-do, pick up this grande sized read.
prolific_book_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.0
hrobison11's review against another edition
3.0
This is definitely an enlightening read. Who knew that Starbucks had gone through so much. It also opens up the eyes to what the business world had to deal with when the economy crashed in 2008. From the buyers side, I can say it was not pleasant, but this gives a little insight into what went on in the world outside of self. If you hate Starbucks, I would recommend this book because it makes it more real. If you love Starbucks, you've probably already read it. For everyone in between, if you're interested in reading something that can feel more relevant than many things, this is definitely the book for you. I enjoyed the experience and even checked out my local store to see if it held true to what Schultz wants to create in all his stores.
The experience was great and so was the drink.
The experience was great and so was the drink.
kristianawithak's review against another edition
4.0
I keep tweaking a review I wrote of Onward, but every time I work on it I dislike it more, so I will resort to bullet points, which is apparently my new favorite writing style. Who needs paragraphs?
I really liked this book.
I had low expectations of it, but didn't have anything better to read. I am so glad I read it.
Going into it I knew nothing of the history of Starbucks, so everything was fascinating.
Howard Schultz comes across as a passionate, driven man, who believes in his company. This way of thinking is contagious to me. I love driven individuals with goals and vision. He's also concerned with his company telling a good story, this idea is near to my heart.
While I don't have an affinity for Starbucks, I appreciate it more now that I see what Schultz's ideal for his company is. The ideal does not always come across but that does not mean that you sacrifice it for something attainable.
I was amused by how Schultz talks about the frappuccino and how it was a game changer for the company. I enjoyed the business side of this book, the need to keep creating new things and adjusting to stay relevant to culture.
So while this review may suck, Onward did not.
I really liked this book.
I had low expectations of it, but didn't have anything better to read. I am so glad I read it.
Going into it I knew nothing of the history of Starbucks, so everything was fascinating.
Howard Schultz comes across as a passionate, driven man, who believes in his company. This way of thinking is contagious to me. I love driven individuals with goals and vision. He's also concerned with his company telling a good story, this idea is near to my heart.
While I don't have an affinity for Starbucks, I appreciate it more now that I see what Schultz's ideal for his company is. The ideal does not always come across but that does not mean that you sacrifice it for something attainable.
I was amused by how Schultz talks about the frappuccino and how it was a game changer for the company. I enjoyed the business side of this book, the need to keep creating new things and adjusting to stay relevant to culture.
So while this review may suck, Onward did not.
crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
Bullet Review:
Simply put: this is a good book if you love Starbucks, are interested in how Starbucks made such a drastic change or understand (or want to understand) the inner workings of a big business.
I drink at Starbucks (almost exclusively the Clover, which I find superior to their standard espresso), but I am none of those three things. That said, I can definitely see this being a 4-star read in a different readers hand.
Your Mileage May Vary.
Simply put: this is a good book if you love Starbucks, are interested in how Starbucks made such a drastic change or understand (or want to understand) the inner workings of a big business.
I drink at Starbucks (almost exclusively the Clover, which I find superior to their standard espresso), but I am none of those three things. That said, I can definitely see this being a 4-star read in a different readers hand.
Your Mileage May Vary.
garciaj42's review against another edition
3.0
Really enjoyed some parts of it but like a decent movie I had a good time reading it but after reflecting on it feel like I did'nt enjoy it as much as I wanted to
Why did he leave Starbucks the first time again? Why did he leave his baby business to a profit greedy Safeway exec? Was it necessary to make the cheese such a big deal? Was that really a big decicison and why is there still cheese in Starbucks?
Idk
Why did he leave Starbucks the first time again? Why did he leave his baby business to a profit greedy Safeway exec? Was it necessary to make the cheese such a big deal? Was that really a big decicison and why is there still cheese in Starbucks?
Idk
yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoy a good story of success from failure. Starbucks has always seems so strong, I was amazed to learn otherwise. The company had a very low point and the turn around is amazing with a stroke of genius. I have a new respect for the company and Mr Shultz, he really forged a new path with blood and sweat.
janagaton's review against another edition
4.0
Rated this 4 stars purely from my level of enjoyment reading it as opposed to from a business perspective, as my business background is close to zero lol
jrabbit12's review against another edition
1.0
Abandoned. Kept thinking "why, in this era of social and political upheaval, am I reading a book by a rich white man?" Additionally, as much as I treasure the corporate model of Starbucks, I just could not handle the rampant ego that comes through on every page, it's just 'icky'.
tiggerser's review against another edition
3.0
I too did not enjoy this book as much as pour your heart into it. However, i found touching moments and favorite quoted from Howard just the same. It was more business than intimately personal as the first tome was. Still drinking in the beans as I read. The books are lethal for my Caff intake.