Starbucks management is bracing itself over how to handle possible confrontations from customers who disagree with the coffee giant’s former CEO and chairman Howard Schultz possible run for president as an independent candidate.
Maxwell Strachan at HuffPost reports about a memo from Starbucks leadership to employees:
If a customer attempts to investigate, or share aggressive political opinions, attempt to diffuse the situation by sharing:
We respect everyone’s opinion. Our goal is simply to create a warm and welcoming space where we can all gather, as a community, over great coffee.
If asked about Howard’s political intentions:
Howard’s future plans are up to him.
Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson also penned an open letter to employees, stating “Many of us will inevitably be asked if the company supports a possible presidential candidacy of Howard and what changes for Starbucks. As a company, we don’t get involved in national political campaigns. And nothing changes for Starbucks.”
The problem with customers who become agitated or angry at Schultz–some might be upset because he’s mulling a run as a fiscally-minded independent, rather than as a Democrat, inciting fears that he could throw the 2020 presidential race again to President Trump–is they’re projecting their emotions in the wrong place.
First, under our economic system, customers can vote with their feet, and if they don’t like Schultz’s choice they’ve got the power to sip their latte, hot chocolate or mocha at a competitor like Blue Bottle, Peet’s, Dunkin’ Donuts or a local shop. More importantly, as a way to improve our civil discourse, these customers have the power to do far more than berate a hapless, innocent barista and disturb fellow customers. They can organize, vote–or even run for office themselves. That’s the more productive way to channel their political energy. More venti and less venting, please!
