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February 4, 2005

Coffee With Orin

Three UW MBAs from the class of 2005 - myself, Tara McFadden, and Rich Albrecht - are recipients of the Orin Smith Endowed MBA Fellowship. It's an incredible feeling to be recognized for your work and contribution. It's even more incredible when you get a call one day that asks if you'd be free to "come in and chat" with your donor. Especially when your donor is the CEO of one of the highest-profile brands (in this case, Starbucks) in the world.

And so, I found myself at Starbucks Intergalactic HQ at 8:30 AM this last Wednesday, perched on a sofa in Orin's office. Rich, Tara, Orin and I were all having coffee (natch) and just ... chatting. Surreal.

(I know I got to go to BillG's place, but honestly - this was just as cool).

Let's start with the basics right up front: Starbucks headquarters really kicks ass. If you imagine the decor and feel of your typical Starbucks retail store and blow it out to five or six floors inside a renovated office building, you've got a good idea of what it feels like. Lots of natural light, skylights, windows. Blond hardwood floors, spare metal railings. Art everywhere. Lots of nooks and crannies and couches.The vibe is unbelievably creative and stimulating.

And yeah, there's a coffee machine frickin' everywhere.

Orin is an amazingly down-to-earth guy. The four of us chatted about business (economy in general; Starbucks in particular), MBAs in general, the value of good people, the power of creativity, and Starbucks' various projects (in particular, I wanted to chat about their Hear Music project).

Here's the thing that impressed me the most. Of the senior executives I've met in my life (both through the MBA program and as a working professional), I've been consistently impressed by how human, humble, and holistic these people are. Jeff Raikes talked a lot about the need to give back to the community; Orin talked with great passion about how important culture is, and how it's key to find not just good people, but the right good people and then do well by them. (Starbucks, for instance, is one of the few companies that pay benefits to part-time workers.) I didn't feel like I was being snowed. Instead, I felt energized, and really optimistic. Success in business doesn't mean being a bastard, or a tough negotiator, or someone who screams at his/her people. Instead, success comes from being interested in your people and your community.

It's encouraging, you know?

I thought we'd be in and out of his office in an hour, but we would up staying for a good 90+ minutes. And then (wait for it) - parting gifts! Seriously. Cute little Starbucks bag with a pound of coffee in it and a Starbucks mug with the logo on one side and the phrase, "I Had A Coffee Break With Orin Smith" on the back. No fooling. Check the photo, above.

(Of course, he has to get rid of all of them before he leaves in March, right?)

Just kidding. Orin, if you're out there: thanks. For everything.

Posted by Gavin Shearer at February 4, 2005 9:03 PM. Posted to UW MBA.

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