Chapter 488 Howard Schultz

Early the next morning, two private business jets took off from the airstrip on Lanai Island facing the morning sun, with the same heading and the same destination, both Los Angeles. &1t;/p>

Yang Cheng was going to fly to Seattle to meet Howard Schultz, chairman and CEO of Starbucks, but before leaving, he learned that he was actually attending a business meeting in Los Angeles. The father and son flew back to Los Angeles together to deal with the contract matters, while Yang Cheng went to meet Howard Schultz. &1t;/p>

On the Jason, Yang Cheng half-lyed on the custom-made sofa, tilting his head to look at the drowsy little girlfriend opposite, his eyes full of happiness. &1t;/p>

Xu Lingyue has been flying continuously for the past few days, and the jet lag is a bit disordered. Yesterday he played wildly for a day, and his physical strength has already reached the critical point. He could have slept a little longer today, but he was woken up by Yang Cheng early in the morning, and he was woken up by Yang Cheng like a walking dead. Cheng pulled onto the plane, which made Yang Cheng feel distressed for a while. &1t;/p>

At this time, the flight attendant Shirley delivered cool freshly squeezed orange juice, and the wall of the beautiful crystal glass was covered with a layer of water mist. &1t;/p>

Yang Cheng took it to thank him, got up and came to Xu Lingyue's side, sat on the armrest of the sofa, gently embraced his shoulders, and said softly, "Have a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to relieve fatigue."&1t;/p>

Xu Lingyue slowly opened her sleepy eyes, and lay in Yang Cheng's arms like a kitten. Yang Cheng didn't urge her, and waited for a long time for her to recover slowly, and took a sip of the orange juice. &1t;/p>

"I've worked hard for you these past few days, and I didn't take you to have fun. I was too busy with work." Yang Cheng said apologetically, her big hands gently stroking the black show. &1t;/p>

Xu Lingyue smiled softly, "It's not hard, I'm very happy, I like staying by your side."&1t;/p>

"Are you going to work with me at that moment? Or go home to catch up on sleep?" Yang Cheng kept the emotion in his heart and asked instead. &1t;/p>

Holding the glass, Xu Lingyue took a sip of the orange juice, thought for a while and said, "I'd better go home, it's shameful for me to follow you when you go to work, I can't embarrass you."&1t;/p>

"There's nothing to be ashamed of." Yang Cheng was puzzled. &1t;/p>

Xu Lingyue's face was serious, and she said coquettishly, "Anyway, it's not good. I'll go home and sleep. You should come back early."&1t;/p>

Yang Cheng didn't try to persuade her any more, she lowered her head and kissed lightly on the red lips, and promised, "Okay, I will finish the task as soon as possible and go home to accompany you, anyway, you can call me if you have anything, don't be afraid of affecting me Work, understand?"&1t;/p>

Xu Lingyue smiled sweetly with satisfaction, "Got it, long-winded ghost!"&1t;/p>

. . . &1t;/p>

Sunshine, green grass, red wine, laughter and conversation are mixed together. &1t;/p>

This is the Los Angeles International Convention and Exhibition Center located in the southwest of Los Angeles. At this time, the business meeting held here has ended the morning agenda, and the participants have come to the park outside the convention and exhibition center. The organizer has prepared a picnic here. These social elites enjoy the sunshine and delicious food in the green grassy park, and at the same time provide a more convenient communication place for everyone. &1t;/p>

Yang Cheng, who knew Howard Schultz was here early, got an invitation letter from somewhere, successfully entered the picnic scene, and walked through the crowd with a glass of red wine, trying to find his target. &1t;/p>

There were not many people at the picnic, except for the waiters in conspicuous uniforms and the women present,

Among the remaining men, Yang Cheng easily spotted the target and walked over. &1t;/p>

"Mr. Schultz, do you still remember me?" Yang Cheng didn't rush forward to interrupt Howard Schultz's conversation. He didn't smile until he finished talking with another man in a suit and leather shoes. &1t;/p>

Howard Schultz's dazzling silver hair is particularly conspicuous in the sun. Hearing the sound, he looked at Yang Cheng, was stunned for a moment, and then laughed, "Jason? Didn't expect you to be here too?"&1t;/p>

Yang Cheng shook his red wine glass and nodded, "It's not an accident that I appeared here, I came here for you."&1t;/p>

Howard Schultz obviously didn't expect Yang Cheng to speak so directly, and told him clearly that something happened to him. &1t;/p>

Kong Kong nodded Yang Cheng, "You are really straightforward, by the way, I almost forgot to introduce, this is Kevin Johnson, the director of Starbucks."&1t;/p>

Howard Schultz gave up his birth position, and Yang Cheng discovered that there was a person standing behind him. He didn't know this person, but since he was a director of Starbucks, he naturally deserved Yang Cheng's attention. &1t;/p>

He reached out to shake hands with the other party, and said politely, "Mr. Johnson, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for your contribution to Starbucks. I'm a loyal fan of Starbucks."&1t;/p>

Kevin Johnson looks younger than Howard Schultz, with a more restrained temperament, a bit like a code farmer, but he is not stage-frightened. He exchanged simple greetings with Yang Cheng, and there is no sign of any obstacles in communication. &1t;/p>

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Howard Schultz continued, "The news hasn't been revealed yet, but it's okay to tell you in advance. Kevin is my successor and will take over Starbucks in the next two years. Please take care of me."&1t; /p>

The reason why Holder Schultz disclosed such important information in advance is because Yang Cheng was born on Wall Street and is now famous on Wall Street. If Starbucks wants to maintain a stable stock price, it cannot do without the help of Wall Street investment banks; /p>

As for the second thing, I also want to make friends with Yang Cheng. Now that New Era Media has sprung up in the United States, its status in the media field is increasing day by day. As a major advertising company, Starbucks naturally needs to maintain a good cooperative relationship with large media groups. &1t;/p>

Yang Cheng was too shocked to speak, what's going on, Starbucks is about to change? This made him subconsciously question the cooperation he was going to talk about. Can Kevin Johnson support Starbucks? &1t;/p>

And Howard Schultz believes in his character so much? Aren't you afraid to arrange to short Starbucks stock yourself? You must know that Howard Schultz is to Starbucks what Jobs is to Apple. Once the news that he will step down as CEO comes out, it is completely predictable that the stock will fall. &1t;/p>

Yang Cheng hesitated for a moment, swallowed the topic on his lips, and asked with concern, "Mr. Schultz, are you planning to retire from Starbucks completely? Find an island or a ranch to enjoy life?" &1t;/p>

Howard Schultz seemed to have anticipated Yang Cheng's question a long time ago, laughed a few times and said, "How is it possible, Starbucks is my child, who would abandon their child to enjoy life alone? I just stepped down as CEO and put the specific The management work is handed over to Kevin, and I will focus on major aspects in the future, for example, I will pay more attention to the establishment of new brand businesses within Starbucks."&1t;/p>

Yang Cheng doesn't know much about Starbucks, "A new brand? I don't know what you mean? Starbucks wants to enter the high-end field?"&1t;/p>

Schultz smiled and put down the red wine glass, motioned for a few people to chat in a quiet place, and came under the shade of a tree, Howard Schultz said, "The new business I'm talking about refers to the upcoming exclusive selection store of Starbucks.&1t; /p>

In recent years, Starbucks has successively acquired several European and American bakery brands, such as the Italian bakery brand princi, etc., which are also investments for new brand businesses. &1t;/p>

Different from the current Starbucks high-end brand selection and general Starbucks cafes, the exclusive selection store will provide coffee and on-site baked food. How to put it, in fact, it is more like a light food restaurant that takes the light luxury route. "&1t;/p>

After Schultz explained this, Yang Cheng understood. Sure enough, his possessiveness for the company must not be underestimated. After all, this is the company he has worked for for dozens of years. How could he just let it go, even though he He is not the real founder of Starbucks, but he has a discerning eye and called investors to buy the company he worked for. This alone is enough to be included in business textbooks. &1t;/p>

And this is not the first time Schultz has resigned as CEO. The legendary CEO joined Starbucks in 1982 as president of operations and marketing when the company had only four stores. &1t;/p>

Later, he led investors to buy Starbucks. In the 1980s, he transformed Starbucks, which was in the coffee bean business, into the world's largest chain coffee shop. After 2000, Schultz stepped down from this position, but in 2008 Back, restarting a then-struggling Starbucks. &1t;/p>

However, Yang Cheng's suspicion has not weakened. Since stepping down as CEO, it means that his control over Starbucks has weakened. Will his successor, Kevin Johnson, have the ability to continue to lead Starbucks? &1t;/p>

Noticing Yang Cheng's skeptical gaze, Howard Schultz chuckled and talked about his past with Kevin Johnson, "Jason, believe me, although Kevin spent most of his career in technology companies , at the earliest time, he worked for Microsoft, which greatly improved the company's performance, and later parted ways with the original owner for some reasons, until he became a director of Starbucks in 2009. &1t;/p>

I met him for the first time in 2000, when Johnson, who was working at Microsoft, was in charge of the wireless network business of Starbucks stores. After that, we became good friends. "&1t;/p>

Yang Cheng frowned even more when he heard this. He has worked for technology software companies for most of his life. No wonder he has the temperament of a code farmer, but it is not a big problem for such a person to be in charge in the short term. After a long time, the lack of retail Without experience, it will become a fatal problem for Starbucks. &1t;/p>

Without shy away from it, Yang Cheng directly expressed his worries. &1t;/p>

Hearing this, Schultz was not only not angry, but instead looked at Yang Cheng with admiration, and answered patiently, "Starbucks is no longer just a retail company.&1t;/p>

Starbucks is far ahead of its competitors in mobile payment, consumer loyalty programs, and other businesses. According to our own survey data, nearly 16% of the revenue of Starbucks stores in the United States comes from mobile apps. At the same time, Starbucks’ own app has With nearly 13 million active users, the company is currently continuing its delivery business. "&1t;/p>

Yang Cheng tasted Schultz's words, and it is not difficult to come to a conclusion. The reason why he decided to step down as CEO of Starbucks has far-reaching intentions. Compared with maintaining Starbucks' original retail genes, Schultz hopes that Kevin Johnson, who is born in technology The CEO of the company can bring something different to Starbucks. Innovation is an eternal topic for all companies, even Starbucks that sells coffee. Now that the Internet is popular, Starbucks must keep up with the pace of the times. &1t;/p>

From this point of view, Yang Cheng admires Schultz's decision! &1t;/p>

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