Read the case scenario below and answer the questions that follow: STARBUCKS: A Servant Leadership Company It was December 15, 2013, as Howard Schultz. Chairman and CEO of Starbucks, looked at the company's philosophy, pondering his next move. Being referred to as a servant leadership company, Starbucks continuously sought opportunities for its employees. What should the company do next? Our next move The company is taking another huge step in continuing its servant leadership principles by offering free college education to their employees. In a Daily Show interview on the announcement, Schultz stated: Today we announced that Starbucks will be the first United States Company to provide free college tuition for all our employees. The only way you can build a great, enduring company is by linking shareholder value with value for employees. We have the lowest level of attrition of any company in our sector. You can't just focus on profitability. An enduring great company has to be based on more than that..." Our people have created the experience. We have to do everything we can to exceed their expectations. Companies need to do more for their people and the communities they serve Starbucks has always taken a little bit different track Schultz then added, "Because of social media and the fact there is such transparency, the consumers today knows everything.. if you don't do the right thing they will reject you." Yes, servant leadership works. Starbucks knows it and social media is driving demand for it Free Tuition Starbucks, in 2015, further announced that it will offer employees full tuition at Arizona State University's (ASU) online program, giving them the chance to earn a bachelor's degree for free The coffee chain already offers its baristas two years of undergraduate tuition at AS under its existing college achievement program. Now the company is extending that to four years for most of its workers. In revising the program: Who can apply: All full and part-time US employees who do not already have a four-year degree Starbucks says 70% of its workers do not have a bachelor's degree. Who's not eligible: Workers at Starbucks "licensed stores, such as those located inside grocery stores. . Can you leave Starbucks after graduating: Yes. Employees will have no obligation to remain at Starbucks after they graduate How does it work: Starbucks employees who qualify will receive a scholarship from ASu that covers 42% of the cost for each credit of course work Starbucks will pay the remaining 58%. minus any other scholarships the employee receives How often will Starbucks reimburse your Starbucks will reimburse tuition costs at the end of each semester, as opposed to the end of each year as it currently does. So, employees who drop out or leave the company will be responsible for paying tuition for that semester More than 140,000 out of a total of 191,000 employees are eligible for the program. Over the next 10 years, Starbucks plans to spend at least $250 million to help 25,000 employees graduate Starbucks says the tuition reimbursement program is aimed at helping its staff, particularly underprivileged young workers, afford the education they need to succeed. In addition to helping employees get ahead, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said the economy will benefit from having more educated workers in the labor force. "By giving our partners access to four years of full tuition reimbursement, we will provide them a critical tool for lifelong opportunity," said Schultz QUESTIONS Using appropriate literature, theories, case examples and additional research, answer the following questions: 1) In decision making, the decision criteria are factors deemed important to consider in the process of choosing a course of action. In creating a servant leadership culture at Starbucks, from a personal leadership perspective, discuss three (3) factors that you think CEO Howard Schultz would take into consideration to inform his decision. (12 marks: 1,000 word limit) 2) Critically analyze the ways in which CEO Howard Schultz is designing a caring culture. (16 marks; 1,000 word limit) 3) As an advisor to the CEO, do you think that creating a caring culture would benefit Starbucks in the long run? Justify your response (12 marks; 1,000 word limit)