Weekly Quote
"Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat."
F. Scott Fitzgerald
(1896 - 1940)
As some of you know I have been in pursuit of an audience with Howard Schultz the Chairman of Starbucks Coffee Company for the past six months. Geez, has it been that long already? Howard is a personal hero of mine and someone I have admired for a long time. Having read his book Pour Your Heart Into It, it became apparent to me that he was someone I had to meet and get to know because my Ripple philosophy and his approach to business has so much compatibility.
Anyway, as you might expect, contacting a man of his position has proven difficult. My efforts have been met with numerous obstacles (aka defeats) and zero progress despite some pretty out-of-the-box approaches to get his attention.
My goal has been to gain an audience with Mr. Schultz and secure a sit down meeting (over coffee perhaps) to discuss an idea and concept that I believe could have some real significance for Starbucks and its customers.
Heck I have even offered to buy the coffee....but still nada....zilch....ubber-nothingness.
It would be easy to give up and admit defeat. As a friend of mine recently pointed out, my effort, despite however creative they may be, are going unanswered and therefore are and remain a waste of time. I appreciated my friend's perspective and completely and utterly disagreed with him.
Anything you want in life that holds real value won't come easily to you. I believe it's these tests or hoops we often must go through that prove our metal and whether we have what it takes to push through despite the circumstances. It is through this effort that the achievement, when it actually happens, is far more appreciated and enjoyed.
Utilize defeat as nothing more than the speed bump which momentarily delays your progress to your goal. I have absolutely no idea how I am going to get a meeting with one of America's top businessmen but I have no doubt it will happen. No matter what they throw at me, I will remain firmly committed to buying Howard that cup of coffee and sharing with him my idea.
Then it's onto Oprah!
Ripple On My Friends!!!
Steve Harper
www.ripplecentral.com
SPECIAL NOTICE: LOOKING FOR A PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER FOR YOUR HOLIDAY FUNCTION OR NEW YEAR KICK-OFF EVENT? CHECK OUT A SNIP-IT OF A RECENT PRESENTATION AND LET ME KNOW IF I MIGHT BE OF SERVICE TO YOUR COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION. CLICK THE LINK BELOW!
(1896 - 1940)
As some of you know I have been in pursuit of an audience with Howard Schultz the Chairman of Starbucks Coffee Company for the past six months. Geez, has it been that long already? Howard is a personal hero of mine and someone I have admired for a long time. Having read his book Pour Your Heart Into It, it became apparent to me that he was someone I had to meet and get to know because my Ripple philosophy and his approach to business has so much compatibility.
Anyway, as you might expect, contacting a man of his position has proven difficult. My efforts have been met with numerous obstacles (aka defeats) and zero progress despite some pretty out-of-the-box approaches to get his attention.
My goal has been to gain an audience with Mr. Schultz and secure a sit down meeting (over coffee perhaps) to discuss an idea and concept that I believe could have some real significance for Starbucks and its customers.
Heck I have even offered to buy the coffee....but still nada....zilch....ubber-nothingness.
It would be easy to give up and admit defeat. As a friend of mine recently pointed out, my effort, despite however creative they may be, are going unanswered and therefore are and remain a waste of time. I appreciated my friend's perspective and completely and utterly disagreed with him.
Anything you want in life that holds real value won't come easily to you. I believe it's these tests or hoops we often must go through that prove our metal and whether we have what it takes to push through despite the circumstances. It is through this effort that the achievement, when it actually happens, is far more appreciated and enjoyed.
Utilize defeat as nothing more than the speed bump which momentarily delays your progress to your goal. I have absolutely no idea how I am going to get a meeting with one of America's top businessmen but I have no doubt it will happen. No matter what they throw at me, I will remain firmly committed to buying Howard that cup of coffee and sharing with him my idea.
Then it's onto Oprah!
Ripple On My Friends!!!
Steve Harper
www.ripplecentral.com
SPECIAL NOTICE: LOOKING FOR A PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER FOR YOUR HOLIDAY FUNCTION OR NEW YEAR KICK-OFF EVENT? CHECK OUT A SNIP-IT OF A RECENT PRESENTATION AND LET ME KNOW IF I MIGHT BE OF SERVICE TO YOUR COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION. CLICK THE LINK BELOW!
4 comments:
Starbucks would be lucky to have you. Based on what I have seen, they really need THE RIPPLE EFFECT and your unique approach to helping them connect with their customers!
I for one would start going back to them.
Crystal Tames
(AKA Chrissy from your Houston training)
Why bother? Starbucks is so far CORPORATE that I suspect anything you would have to offer them would either be productized and sold at a PREMIUM. Just hope they wouldn't burn your idea like they do their coffee.
Phil
Thanks for the comments Chrissy (how are things on the Customer Service front?) and Phil. You guys must be reading my BLOG at just about the same time!
Be sure to register on the top right hand corner so you don't have to log on to the BLOG everytime to receive notifications as to when a new post is added.
Thanks for the comments!
Ripple on!
Steve
Steve, Katherine from your Houston class here. What a great BLOG! Chrissy sent this to me and I am so glad she did. How are you? When are you back in Houston?
Keep at it....you will achieve it. I am certain that it will happen for you.
Still keeping the customers in line down here. Ready for inspection whenever you are in the neighborhood!
C-Ya K
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