Werner Domittner’s Post

Whenever I write about Starbucks, I get flooded with readers telling me one of two things: 1. "Starbucks serves terrible coffee." 2. "I stopped going to Starbucks years ago." Well, new Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is trying to change that. In his first week on the job, instead of looking ahead, he's looking back. And he's trying to get Starbucks to focus on what made it grow into a household name in the first place, namely by: 1. Making better coffee 2. Getting people to gather at their stores Of course, this isn't Niccol's first rodeo. He was able to turn Chipotle around after they poached him from Taco Bell. Can he do it again at Starbucks? Read the full story in today's column on Inc. I'm curious: What do YOU think? Has Starbucks gotten worse over the years? Can Niccol return the company to its glory days? I look forward to reading your comments. #starbucks #leadership #management #BrianNiccol

This story is a well-known example of strong leadership and commitment to core values. It highlights Howard Schultz's return to Starbucks in 2008 when the company was struggling with declining sales and customer dissatisfaction. Rather than implementing traditional cost-cutting measures to save the business, Schultz focused on reigniting Starbucks' culture of quality and customer experience. After rejoining Starbucks, Howard Schultz made a bold and commendable decision to close 7,000 stores for a day to retrain baristas, signaling a return to the company’s core values. By prioritizing quality coffee and an exceptional customer experience over short-term profits, Schultz reaffirmed his commitment to long-term excellence. His decisive leadership revitalized the brand, restoring customer trust and realigning the company with its original mission. Schultz’s actions highlight the power of staying true to core values, maintaining a clear long-term vision, and leading by example. This bold move sparked a remarkable turnaround, driving renewed customer loyalty, robust sales growth, and global expansion that cemented Starbucks’ sustained success. #LeadershipLessons #CustomerExperience #GrowthMindset #SuccessStory

The turnaround starts… …by speaking the truth. New Starbucks CEO admits that his task in turning the ship and restoring growth will need to address what we’ve come to learn ourselves in their stores— frustrating waits, complicated ordering. I’m a coffee lover so I’m rooting for him for sure. I’m also a business leader who has been tasked several times in my career with making positive change. And while there isn’t one simple playbook for executing corporate transformation, it ALWAYS starts with acknowledging the cold reality of where you’re starting from. Something that, unfortunately, we’ve all seen many companies just not do or do in obfuscating language. Identify the issues. Articulate them clearly in a motivating action plan and get to work. I’m genuinely hoping my next espresso run is part of the improvement.

A 26% increase! 📈 That’s how much Starbucks’ stock has risen since new CEO Brian Niccol joined Starbucks. In a Wall Street Journal article, he mentioned that making customer-friendly changes will drive a return to growth. He’s learning by reading and responding to customer emails, listening to customer feedback, and making changes in cafes that respond to customer needs. Leadership should always be listening and learning from customers. Growth comes from that kind of dedication.

Brian Niccol, the new CEO of Starbucks, is a prime example of this mindset. Despite having what some might call a “relaxed” schedule—starting at 10 am and clocking out by 6 pm—he’s far from average. Niccol isn’t defined by the hours he works, but by the impact he makes. Before joining Starbucks, Niccol was the CEO of Chipotle, where he grew the company by a staggering 5100%, creating $65 billion in shareholder value in just six years. And yes, he did it all while sticking to his 10-6 pm routine. His story is a powerful reminder: Your value as a professional isn’t measured by how long you’re at your desk. It’s about the quality, efficiency, and impact of the work you produce. Focus on what you deliver, not just the time you spend.

☕I'm not a Starbucks fan, but this video caught my attention. Post the excitement about Brian Niccol's onboard package, he is on a path to revamp Starbucks. We will see how it pans out in the months ahead. What's interesting though for careerists is the leadership takeaway. Brian obviously knows a thing or two about customer experience and is not hesitant to trim what needs to, in order to laser focus into experience consistency that will bring back the fans. Again, time will tell but more importantly, the shot's fired and if you're aspiring to be a leader in your organization, having that gut to champion initiatives is definitely a must-have. Procrastination, fear of acting, promising and not delivering are immediate 🛑 stoppers. #Career #Careerist

Starbucks has taken a significant step forward by naming Brian Niccol the former CEO of Chipotle, as its new leader. This move comes amidst declining sales and investor pressure. Niccol is known for his transformative leadership at Chipotle, driving substantial growth through menu innovation, operational excellence, and digital transformation. During Niccol’s tenure at Chipotle, the company witnessed a remarkable transformation, with revenue nearly doubling and stock price surging by almost 800%. Starbucks is banking on Niccol’s successful track record to rejuvenate the company, improve customer experiences, and stimulate growth. The decision has already yielded positive results, with Starbucks’ shares experiencing a notable increase post-announcement. #Starbucks #BrianNiccol #LeadershipChange #CEOAppointment #BusinessNews #CorporateLeadership #Innovation #GrowthStrategy #DigitalTransformation #OperationalExcellence #StockMarket #RetailIndustry #CoffeeCulture

Moving away from the customers can ruin your business. Take Starbucks as an example. According to 2024 research by HBR, the brand has commoditized itself, resulting in a 4% drop in same-store sales and a stock plunge. The shift from a cozy “third place” to an efficiency-driven model has diluted the Starbucks experience, disappointing customers and employees. To revive its brand, Starbucks now tries to refocus on in-person experiences, revamp its loyalty program, and separate mobile orders from on-premise service. The challenge is clear: restore the soul of Starbucks or risk long-term erosion. #ZeroDistanceToCustomer #agility #Leadership #Starbucks #RetailInnovation #EmployeeEngagement