News

Global Thought Leaders Breakfast

The Levin Institute launched its Global Thought Leaders Breakfast series on January 16th hosting a conversation between President Garrick Utley and Howard Schultz, Chairman of Starbucks. The series is designed to bring together unique thought leaders in the New York City area who are breaking leadership ground and reshaping the landscape of the global economy.

With locations in 36 countries, Starbucks is indeed a global brand. However, Schultz said that Starbucks is not in the coffee business serving people. They are instead in the people business serving coffee. He said he thinks his stores offer customers a "third space," a place that is neither home nor office.

In addition to those invited, The Levin Institute also conducted a "Compete for a Seat" competition asking graduate students from the various SUNY campuses to write a one page essay on the global challenges facing Starbucks as it expands to places like China and India where a coffee culture does not exist.

The winner was Timothy Silverstein, a first year MBA student at SUNY Buffalo. As his prize, he was invited not only to attend the breakfast and rub shoulders with many important people, but he also had an opportunity to pose a question to Mr. Schultz.

For a transcript of the event, click here.