However, Starbucks seems to have the experience behind them to consistently make good management decisions. That is indicated by their increasing profits every year, for example. In addition, they have consistently added stores throughout their history, while still managing to make excellent profits.
Perhaps the biggest indicator of their effective decisions is their very public stand on the environment and corporate responsibility. They are very open about their support of the communities where they do business, and doing business with varied and diverse suppliers and businesses. Obviously, the corporate choice to begin operating with more responsibility came from upper management, and had to be decided on and approved by other levels of management. This seems to indicate that management is not only "enlightened" about the Earth and environment, but have made conscious management choices to include it as a part of the business plan. In the light of...
The decision paints the company in a positive light for many, and that is a very effective management decision, even if it helps the planet as well.
Therefore, Starbucks seems to be a well-managed and effective company. It blends the best of both worlds - profitability and responsibility. That may not have been the objective when the company first started, but it seems to have become the company's objective. Does Starbucks make the right management decisions all the time? No, no company is perfect. However, they seem to have a good lead on many other companies, and could certainly give lessons in effective management to others.
References
Editors. (2007). Investor relations. Retrieved from the Starbucks.com Web site: http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/jobcenter.asp2 March 2007.
