STARBUCKS ANNOUNCES A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP

 

Howard Schultz, who oversaw the development and expansion of Starbucks Coffee into a global heavyweight, is again stepping down as Chief Executive. He is bringing aboard Layman Narasimban as his replacement. Below, from CNN, are splendid examples of corporate gobbledygook:

 ..."The Starbucks business as it is built today is not set up to fully satisfy the evolving behaviors, needs and expectations of our partners or customers," Schultz wrote in an open letter in July. "It is not designed for the future we aspire to for ourselves and the communities in which we serve."

 On Thursday, Schultz said Narasimhan is the right person for the job. "He is a strategic and transformational leader with deep experience in building powerful consumer brands," Schultz said. "He is the leader we were looking for." Mellody Hobson, independent chair of the Starbucks board, called Narasimhan "an inspiring leader," adding that "his deep, hands-on experience driving strategic transformations at global consumer-facing businesses makes him the ideal choice." 

So, is Starbucks going to be less hostile to unionization of their workers? Or will Mr Layman be just another corporate asshole kissing shareholder ass? The trend ain't good-these companies who have for years traded on their "progressive" cred, Starbucks, Whole Foods (before Amazon gobbled them) and now, sadly, Trader Joe's are showing their ugly, worker hating side. Were they ever progressive or was it just bullshit for show to appeal to the well-heeled and liberal demographic in order to drive sales? Toxic capitalism.