In Starbucks, you can expect your order to be customized to the last drop, but you may not expect seeing new workers making your orders. Starbucks is pledging to create 240,000 jobs by 2021, and out of those, there are 68,000 in the U.S. In a time when companies are worried about whether to expand, Starbucks is taking a giant leap of faith by investing in human capital. The company also plans to open 3,400 new stores by the same deadline, boost hiring among veterans and teens, as well as move forward with hiring more refugees.
Being an example for all expanding businesses, Starbucks has already reached its initial goal of hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses by 2018. In fact, they have expanded this goal to 25,000 by 2025. This is great news because veterans' leadership skills have been nothing but helpful for the company. Starbucks' plan to open 100 more military family stores throughout the U.S. in the next five years makes sense. The chain already has 32 of these stores up and operational, staffed by veterans, advocates, and military spouses.
As far as its goal to hire 10,000 "opportunity youth" in America by 2018, it has exceeded that by more than 40,000. Understandably, Starbucks will be expanding this goal to 100,000 hires by 2020. This is further proof that it is possible to create jobs even amongst all of the uncertainty. A sentiment that rings even truer after the failure of the new healthcare bill. The market may soften, but Starbucks is still all speed ahead for the creation of jobs.
Globally, the company isn't slowing down anytime soon either. With the partnership between Starbucks and the UN Refugee Agency, International Rescue Committee's #WithRefugees campaign, and the Tent Partnership of Refugees, it aims to hire 10,000 refugees by 2022. In the U.S., there were concerns that domestic jobs would be lost to refugees. However, not all the proposed jobs will be in the U.S., to begin with, and the company itself operates in more than 75 countries. Starbucks went on to say that individuals who served the U.S. military as interpreters and support personnel would be the main focus in all initial hiring.
With Starbucks opening one store per day in China and entering the Italian market, the company is expanding even further by adding 12,000 new stores worldwide by 2021. That kind of growth is outstanding in this current economy. They have a proven past of succeeding in uncertain markets and cyclical changes through different administrations, so it should be no surprise that they are thriving so well. Many companies could learn from their ability to expand while also growing a number of opportunities for the American people and the world economy.
Is This Your Order?
People will be flocking to Starbucks for jobs all over the world because there are so many applicants waiting in the wings, ready for their chance to start a career. Starbucks was wise enough to target those that have been neglected. Giving this underutilized talent a chance was a great move in the face of their expansion. Other companies can learn from this tactic and start carving out their own plan to target those potential employees that don't get enough attention.
Put it into practice by targeting juniors in college, underprivileged youth, or any other group of workers who could fill the role. There doesn't have to be a small talent pool if you are brave enough and wise enough to think outside of the coffee cup. There will be work involved, but who knows, you may find a star employee amongst these new talents. Plan for expansion ahead of time. If the economic sentiment of past weeks has been any indication, we will be seeing growth.
When you're looking to invest more into your talent, find talent now with ICS. We'll set you up with qualified candidates that offer the best fit for your skill needs and culture. ICS can be the secret ingredient to your company's future success. Starbucks is serving up your order of advice now, you should take it to go.
