2011 June: Solstice at Starbucks

the old Sears building is nos the Starbucks HQ in Seattle

Part of the extern experience has been fieldtrips.  To see the complete chain of supply from inception to completion.  This week I have been slated to experience the Starbucks world.  I have experienced Starbucks at the store level as a customer since 1990 in Portland and have been a good coffee addicted customer ever since.  The one thing I did not have the ability to see past was the mystic of Starbucks as the corporate badguy. 

Elevators to the land of coffee

coffee display

Part of my "Fieldtrip" is that I get to tour the world headquarters of Starbucks.
I got to spend time with the manager for Food Research & Development, Coffee Research & Development, national account executives regional directors and local store directors.  I also met the president for the U.S. region. 

store mock-up

grocery store aisle mock-up

Tazo mock-up

I questioned their integrity, I questioned their motivations, I questioned everything Starbucks.  Do they really practice and believe the mantra that they preach in the advertising that is Starbucks?

the Starbucks store at Starbucks.  8th floor

banquette - picture of stores from all over the world

clover- reserve program

Well I came to an awakening conclusion.  You can be a successful worldwide corporation and still help the world.  They do walk the walk and talk the talk.  They live and breath coffee, striving to improve the environment, being a profitable company, and much much more.

line of packaging

Quality is number one.  They have exceedingly high standards, not just for the coffee they buy but for every step of the process until it reaches market.  Wherther it is the food they sell, the packaging, the style of buildings, everything is well thought out and has gone through hours of planning to make it as successful as possible.

roasting phases... weekly roasting events.

I have left all doubts behind and plan on adopting many of the incredible policies and practices in my life that make Starbucks such a success.

some of the programs and initiatives Starbucks is involved in.

logo changes

coffee sampling

Well I couldn't take photso in several areas on the campus.  Secretive innovation, and the future of Starbucks.  I got to see a lot and taste alot.  I can tell you this for sure, Starbucks is here to stay and they are going to impact the world.

Friday the Fieldtrip continued.  We visited several Starbucks stores in the Seattle area.  Some were new concept stores, other test stores, and some where the high volume stores.  Each had its own unique designs but still fit into the basic Starbucks concepts and design themes that I had learned about at the main office the day before.
Here are a few pictures of the day.

White Building - Once the tallest in the US.

Storefront - Columbia Starbucks, 4th street (one of the highest volume)

This is the Columbia building.  another store is on the 40th floor

They gotta get their fix!

the 40th floor store

Views from the 40th floor of Seattle.

Views from the 40th floor of Seattle.

Views from the 40th floor of Seattle.



Views from the 40th floor of Seattle.



View of the 40th floor store.

I love the view

Inside of the 4th street store (Howard's first store)

Merchandising is key

Clover.  So good they bought the company.

YES!! They really believe and live this.

One of the older logos on the 4th street store.

A lease store at a local Safeway. 

Kiosk store at  a hospital. The upper gate lowers for security after closing.

coffee art

 

Madison Store...In the neighborhood of the President of Starbuck's
Test store for the Blacksign - beer and wine



Reserve coffee selections
Blue Mountain Jamaican. WOW!
Some of the most amazing coffee ever

Ahhh.. Relax and enjoy.

Burlap Artwork

Coffee roasting phase display at store.

Well I had so much coffee that my hands are shaking.  I think I need some water actually to calm myself down.  I tried, Kenyan, Sumatran, coffee from Papau New Guinie, Jamaica, and more. 
I love this externship!