Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time Kindle Edition

So at Castle Rock, we are in the process of creating a vision statement, or perhaps creating some stronger branding within the community. Of course, there are hundreds of books from the religious community on this topic, but instead of reading the same stuff repackaged, I always look to read for other sources to create more creativity within myself. A leader needs a wide variety of material to think outside of the box, and when you think about Starbucks, whatever you think of the coffee, but you cannot say that the company has not branded itself well. It is highly known in this culture. So wanted to read about this man that accomplished a lot. Howard Schultz grew up poor, and has done a great job leading the company. Even when he stepped away, the company started to fail, but he came back, and the company took off again. The book is really fun to read, and is insightful on the journey of growing the company. It is a great story, but there is also a lot of practical advice. You have to root your organization in values and principles because if you have to think through every choice, you are killing valuable time. I liked the chapters on growing large, and feeling small. I liked the people focused dynamics. A lot of the topics translate into the church world well. If you are looking for a light read, this is a good book, and will make you think about your church culture too.

I really enjoyed the flow and approach of this book. It’s the only true memoir I’ve read so far that’s in the same class as Shoe Dog by Phil Knight.In this one, Schulz takes you through the story of his life and Starbucks from the early days, hitting on key moments along the way. I was particularly fascinated to learn the ironic backstory of the relationship between Peet’s and Starbucks, as well as how new products like the Frappuccino came to market.Leadership tips are scattered throughout the book, but they come up organically as part of the bigger story. This makes for fun reading that you still learn from.Overall, the book was a great read that, admittedly, nudged me into a few extra eggnog lattes.

I loved reading this book. The author wrote it with what I consider a simple yet effective storytelling rythm that captivates and inspires the reader. Mr. Schultz talks about his childhood as a poor kid from Brooklyn, and how the example of this dad, who couldn't find inspiration in his life, threw him to be entrepreneurial and never to give up.The author writes all the way from the begining, how he knew Starbucks while working at a big company, and how he left his comfortable lifestyle and salary to pursue his dream: a project he could call his own.Some of the messages this books gives are clear and direct. Some of the ones I remember are:- People connect with Starbucks because of what it stands for, not what it is.- With pride in their work, Starbucks employees are less likely to leave.- Starbucks's stores are oasis in the middle of urban chaos where one can have some minutes of relaxation with a cup of coffee.- What people call niche markets may appeal to more people that you can imagine.- Make a point to underpromise and overdeliver.- Word of mouth is more powerful than advertising.- When companies fail, is mostly because they don't invest in people.- Entrepreneurial ventures are ruined by short-term thinking.- Once you figure out what you want to do, find someone who has done it before.Many more quotes can be written, because the books pages are filled with lessons for everyone thinking about starting their own business, or improving their existing one.

For years I was not a big coffee drinker. Somehow I survived college without giving into the caffeinated demon of the dark roast. However, a year after graduate school, I found myself working for a university that had me help manage the on campus coffee shop. Quickly I learned the science and art that is espresso making. Over time I was transformed from a delicate Frappuccino drinker to a serious espresso connoisseur (also known as a coffee snob).Soon I began to critique the subtle nuance of every coffee shop I visited. Most were very consistent with being inconsistent. Depending on the barista, your latte could be delicious or terribly bitter. Only one place could give me a reliable tasty latte with great service. This is how I became very impressed with Starbucks.Eventually I learned a lot more about Starbucks as a company. I heard about its lightning fast rise to the top, the way it hires and trains its baristas, and its community involvement. The man who transformed Starbucks from a coffee wholesaler in Seattle to the name brand mega-company was none other than Howard Schultz, Starbucks Chairman and CEO.Pour Your Heart into It chronicles the history of Starbucks and how it grew into a national brand synonymous with great coffee. From the Schultz's account, you see that the success of Starbucks occurred not by well-developed strategic business planning or incredibly good luck. Starbucks rose to the top because everyone at Starbucks - from the part-time barista to the CEO - believed in the company. Each employee is passionate about working for Starbucks and Starbucks was passionate about each employee.This book is a very interesting and personal account about the rise of Starbucks. I definitely recommend this to anyone interested in running an organization with passion and authenticity.

I’ve just got this book and cannot put it down. Howard Schultz is such an inspiring man that started from a very poor background and became the successful man he is today.The book is well written and really hooks you up. I can’t wait to get myself a job at Starbucks to learn the art of coffee appreciation. This book made my day!

This books details how Howard Schultz built Starbucks from a small Seattle based business to the global brand it has become today. I particularly enjoyed the stories of the early years, the author comes across as very humble about success often crediting the team around him, however, there are more many inspiring anecdotes and quotes. A highly recommend d read for anyone interested in business.

Good read if you resonate with Emotional Intelligence in Leadership as a more valuable skill than about more conventional leadership and management tools. Appealed to my sense of putting people before tasks.

I still found this book extremely interesting to read. It helped me to understand so much more about how to build a business from a 'vision'. It is not just the normal 'sort of telling you the right way to do business' type of educational book, it is more like a story telling book, written by a very successful Starbucks CEO, telling you how he managed to turn his dream into reality and all the possible risks he faced. This is a very intriguing book to read indeed. It helped me to differentiate a true business dream from just a passing phase type of dream. As long as you are truely passionate about something, you will be able to find a way and to achieve your dream.

Good read but a bit boring