3 ms·

I have kneejerk reactions sometimes to actions like this, thinking "oh they're just doing this for the PR", but I've recently start to consider what would it ta

I have kneejerk reactions sometimes to actions like this, thinking "oh they're just doing this for the PR", but I've recently start to consider what would it take for me not to have this reaction -- and I realized that I would likely have that just-for-pr reaction to any action they took, and I'm likely entirely too cynical. Closing 8,000+ stores for an afternoon feels like a sizable response, and I am going to suspend my cynicism for this and recognize that they do give a damn (even if it is influenced by PR).

marklyon 9y ago
Not the first time they've done something like this: https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/business/27sbux.html https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/business/27sbux.html
rhizome 9y ago
I doubt it will be for a whole afternoon. My bet is on a "webinar" mode: 1-2hrs closure, with with something like: 20min intro; 20min talking head video; 20min "any questions?" They'll make new employees watch it and they'll post it on the corporate website ("make available").
gehwartzen 9y ago
I attribute these sorts of things to companies doing what they are designed to do; make money. The goal of this move, like most others by similar companies, is to either make more money now, make more money in the future, or minimize any future monetary losses. Not being hated by the public just happens to facilitate the aforementioned primary goal.
gremlinsinc 9y ago
I think those who run starbucks...are very astute to their 'crowd' ... and I think a lot of liberals/progressives go to starbucks. (I'm a progressive / Voted for Bernie). I think this is in part to save face and help with PR, but I think there really might be some people high up in Starbucks who truly do care.. either way though they do seem to run things more ethically than a lot of companies regardless of the motive. In the end does it really matter why someone does something or just that they do it?

marklyon 9y ago

Not the first time they've done something like this: https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/business/27sbux.html https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/business/27sbux.html

rhizome 9y ago

I doubt it will be for a whole afternoon. My bet is on a "webinar" mode: 1-2hrs closure, with with something like: 20min intro; 20min talking head video; 20min "any questions?" They'll make new employees watch it and they'll post it on the corporate website ("make available").

gehwartzen 9y ago

I attribute these sorts of things to companies doing what they are designed to do; make money. The goal of this move, like most others by similar companies, is to either make more money now, make more money in the future, or minimize any future monetary losses. Not being hated by the public just happens to facilitate the aforementioned primary goal.

gremlinsinc 9y ago

I think those who run starbucks...are very astute to their 'crowd' ... and I think a lot of liberals/progressives go to starbucks. (I'm a progressive / Voted for Bernie). I think this is in part to save face and help with PR, but I think there really might be some people high up in Starbucks who truly do care.. either way though they do seem to run things more ethically than a lot of companies regardless of the motive. In the end does it really matter why someone does something or just that they do it?