Pour Your Heart into It : How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time

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Summary: AN EXTREMLY INSPIRING BOOK ON A TRADITIONAL PRODUCT
Review: AN INSIGHT VIEW OF A SUCCESSFUL BIZ. I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN COFFEE TRADE FOR 10 YEARS AND THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRING BOOKS I'VE EVER READ. IT IS BETTER THAN ANY BUSINESS BOOK AS IT HAS MANY ACTUAL FRESH CASE STUDIES, MARKETING AESTHETICS AND A LOT OF ENERGY. I BELIEVE THE WAY MR SCHULTZ TREAT HIS COMPANY AS THE NEW PARADIGM OF THE 21ST CENTURY: FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE.

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Summary: Great inspiration for would-be entrepreneurs
Review: This book won't teach you a lot about starting a business but it's inspirational. Will teach you that persistence is 3/4 of the game.

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Summary: Easy and enjoyable to read.
Review: It is obvious that the author pours his heart into this book as much as into the company he helped to launch into the national mind. This was a relaxing, enjoyable read that provides some insight into good leadership skills. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter were as rewarding as the rest of the book.

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Summary: Starbucks is a dream come true!
Review: I work for Starbucks and can tell you that Howard's philosophy is really great and actually happens at the stores! It's a book from rags to riches that will make your heart leap. It's a saga and I really enjoyed it.

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Summary: Good but missing one important factor
Review: In 1954, blender salesman Ray Kroc found the McDonald brothers' hamburger stand in San Bernandino California, and the rest is history. In 1981, Hammarplast housewares salesman Howard Schultz noticed that the four store Starbucks Coffee, and Spice in Seattle was ordering more drip coffee makers than Macy's. Today Starbucks has grown to a 1,300 store business. Starbuck's ascendence is as eloquently told here, the child of two parents...the original world class specialty coffee stand, and the vision, values and style of Howard Schultz. The large missing phantom is what Schultz calls "unit economics", and I would have appreciated a greater exposition of this facet of the Starbucks business. The profit margins on expresso drinks are huge, and return on investment for well run coffee bars can exceed 40%. Many companies have tried to be as liberal and warm hearted with their people as Starbucks, but have failed because the money was simply not there. Other than this, I give "Pour Your Heart Into It" high marks. Schultz and his team have created a business that is so good that, in spite of having been around for over twenty years, it faces no significant national competition. That he has done this without the money and entrepreneural zeal of franchisees, speaks very positively for the enlightened management of his 25,000 employees. A well written and inspirational story.

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Summary: "Worth reading over a good cup of coffee, but.."
Review: I am a partner in a start-up business and I like Starbucks coffee and stores, so I anxiously ordered this book. The good things: He doesn't glorify himself; he gets to the point about how the company was built and he shows how a growing firm can be more socially responsible. The concept for the Italian coffee shop as gathering place is interesting -but he and Starbucks do not get all of the credit for this. The bad points:When you are starting a business you face more adversity than you do positive outcomes. I don't think that he says enough about this-particularly as he has acquired a very small enterprise and built it to a very large one within less than 10 years. He says that he has hired good people, and from his success I believe him, but managing growth and cultural change are greater challenges than anyone would be led to believe from this book. I agree with him in people are your most important asset-but he doesn't say enough about how people are involved or the problems they had accepting a different work situation. Also, he did not start Starbucks, other people did. If someone wants to know more about how to start a business like this, they would be better off reading The Republic of Tea, which is written by its founder, Bill Rosenzweig and the co-founders of Banana Republic.

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Summary: Sensational! Truly From the Heart.
Review: Howard Schultz and Dori Jones Yang capture the heart and soul of the entrepreneurial journey. Howard's account of roller coaster ride of building one this decade's most admired start ups is informative and inspiring for all entrepreneurs and corporate types alike. Howard Schultz demonstrates that you can build a company based on heart and principles. A treasure in today's cut throat, win at all cost tactical business books. Well done guys!!

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Summary: Try Working at Starbucks
Review: This is an interesting read if looked at as a fictional account of business. As a frustrated Starbucks employee, there are many an urban legend about how great we are supposed to be treated. Howard should go to work as a barista in one of his own stores, have customers insult him, throw drinks back at him and do all of the cleaning chores expected of the people making him his millions. As for the "One Drink at a Time", I wish that were true. We are expected to whip out drinks within mere seconds of them being ordered. Don't believe all the gospel of Howard. It ain't all that he thinks it is cracked up to be.

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Summary: Starbucks!
Review: This book rocks! Howard Schultze's humble beginnings and respect for humanity greatly impressed me. Keep up the good work!

Miriam Gaenicke

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Summary: A must read for anybody in the Seattle area.
Review: What a great book. I am geting rejuvinated just reading it. It's also a cool look into what is now a Northwest Icon. Ever wonder why the Starbucks logo is a mermaid? It's in this book.