Evan CarmichaelSpeaker / Author / Introvert

Unlock the Secret to Investing Beyond Numbers | Starbucks’ Approach

18 Nov 2016 · 1 min

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1:06

In a brief public address, a Starbucks representative emphasizes that the company's decisions are driven primarily by its people and commitment to diversity rather than pure economic calculations. The speaker highlights a 38% shareholder return over the past year, noting that such performance is rare, yet frames the decision-making lens as people‑focused. The address acknowledges that investors seeking higher returns are free to sell their Starbucks shares and invest elsewhere, concluding with gratitude and applause.

Chapters

[FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Not every decision is an economic decision. Despite the fact that you recite statistics that are narrow in time, we did provide a 38% shareholder return over the last year. I don't know how many things you invest in, but I would suspect not many things— companies, products, investments— have returned 38% over the last 12 months. Having said that, it is not an economic decision. The lens in which we are making that decision is through the lens of our people. We employ over 200,000 people in this company, and we want to embrace diversity of all kinds. [APPLAUSE] If you feel, respectfully, You can get a higher return than the 38% you got last year. It's a free country. You could sell your shares in Starbucks and buy shares in other companies. Thank you very much.