“We’re not in the coffee business, serving people. We’re in the people business, serving coffee.”
Howard Behar, Starbucks
This is one of my favourite quotes and it comes from Starbucks. The Starbucks culture is all about people, providing a neighborhood meeting place for people to enjoy time to connect with each other. This approach extends beyond the coffee shops and into the office too.
In his book, “It’s not about the coffee,” Behar speaks about leadership principles that put people above profits. Thinking of your staff as partners (not costs) and your customers as the people you serve (not sources of revenue) makes sure to build loyalty. Building deep connections with staff and customers is a key ingredient for growing a thriving business.
I’d love to leave you with these questions today…
- What business are you in?
- What principles guide your business?
- Who’s the team that’s helping you establish your organisational values?
If you’d like to build your culture using weekly tips that will get you thinking, leading and living an extraordinary life, grab a copy of Weekly Habits for Extraordinary Leaders on Amazon
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