Any business today that embraces the status quo as an operating principle is going to be on a death march.

I think we are living in a time where the consumer has lots of choices, whether it's coffee, newspapers or whatever it is. And there is parity in the market place and as a result of that the consumer is beginning to make decisions, not just on what things cost and the convenience of it.

Starbucks is in my blood. It is such a part of me that letting it unravel simply was not an option.

Authentic brands don't emerge from marketing cubicles or advertising agencies. They emanate from everything the company does.

When companies fail, or fail to grow, it's almost always because they don't invest in the people, the systems, and the processes they need.

The hardest thing about being a leader is demonstrating or showing vulnerability. And that has a lot to do with trust.

You cant build any kind of organization if youre not going to surround yourself with people who have experience and skill base beyond your own.