Starbucks Case

rbucks has "more than 18,000 stores in 62 countries and is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world" (Starbucks, 2013, p. 7). With this growth Starbucks has more than 150,000 employees and needs to stay on top of training so they can continue with their belief that "success depends on the people they hire, retain, and develop" (Starbucks, 2003, p. 5). If Starbucks wants to continue to be the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world they need to provide the best training to their employees. Starbucks must consider the best delivery method to provide the training to every employee over the 18,000 stores. Starbucks must also consider that training for baristas continues as new products are introduced and company initiatives are launched. The best deliver method is webinar training because it allows flexible scheduling for employees and trainers, interaction with a live trainer, group interaction with other trainees, training matter can easily be updated, training can be recorded for later use, and no travel costs. Webinar training would also be the best choice for Starbucks because it is fast, convenient, easy, provides big group training, targeted for specific training subjects, interactive, inexpensive, and no specialty equipment is needed. Webinar training is flexible because many training sessions can take place at different times and on different days. The training sessions could also take place anywhere, not just at the store. There is the opportunity to interact live with the trainer and other trainees to ask questions and discuss important topics. With webinar training any subject matter could be changed and updated as needed. Webinar training eliminates the need for travel and is inexpensive because there is no specialty equipment needed and training is provided by a member of management. Starbucks has so many locations around the world and Webinar is the best choice because it uses technology to bring the stores closer together. Employees all over the world would be able to discuss what works best and what they have learned.

Starbucks will continue to provide training for baristas as new products are introduced. This training will be provided in a classroom delivery method because each store can provide training as new products are introduced. This is the best method because employees can learn about specific products as they are introduced. With the combination of webinar and classroom training Starbucks will continue to provide all their employees the best training possible, and they will continue to provide excellent customer service.