Starbucks and Mr. Howard Schultz “Do Hard Things”

If you have teenagers, you’re probably hearing about “Do Hard Things” by twins Alex and Brett Harris, and if you’re a mother of twins you may have heard of the Harris Twins. They are shaking up and getting the attention of the younger generation by going counter to the culture and gaining great results.

Mr. Schultz apparently has heard of “Do Hard Things” with the recent corporate decision to close stores, in an effort to gain ground again and have a positive return. It is not instant gratification, it’s keeping the end result in mind.

I don’t like the news. But I like love Starbucks. And I love having several Starbucks very near each serving their own purpose. So I’ll be patient. Let’s face it, none of us want to see any Starbucks close down. However, I would like to see them succeed like never before.
From Mr. Schultz himself…

SEATTLE; July 1, 2008
Starbucks Increases Number of U.S. Company-Operated Store Closures as Part of Transformation Strategy Approximately 600 Underperforming Stores will be Closed as Company takes Significant Step toward Improving Long-Term Profitable Growth

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) has announced the next step in its multi-faceted plan to transform the company, with a decision to close approximately 600 underperforming company-operated stores in the U.S. market. This decision is a result of a rigorous evaluation of the U.S. company-operated store portfolio and includes the 100 stores targeted for closure in the company’s previously announced plans. In addition, Starbucks now expects to open fewer than 200 new U.S. company-operated stores in fiscal 2009.