Starbucks Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Starbucks - Research Paper Example Essentially, it offers a limited variety of products, with its main product coffee. There is need for diversification in the kind of products offered to the customers as a company attracts all types of people to its stores. Some people may want to meet in the Starbucks stores, but one does not take coffee but prefers soft drinks such as Pepsi, however, since the company does not store Pepsi as part of its products, these potential customers are likely to opt for another place to hold their meeting. Starbucks enjoys high popularity from its customers due to the high quality drinks and snacks that it provides to the people. Its coffee, being the best in the market has a great taste and smell. However, a section of people accuses the company of adding a number of additives in their drinks to give them a good taste. This makes their drinks unhealthy. Any foodstuff regarded as containing any type of chemicals does not qualify as safe. Instead, it loses its healthy qualities and becomes un healthy. The kind of snacks that the company provides to its customers is low in their nutrient value and high in fat, sugar and salt content. Therefore, these foods fall in the category of junk food. Junk as a type of food poses a number of risks to the users. One of these problems is that they lead to poor health of the people. Major characteristics of the people used to junk food are obesity and high weight conditions. The company, to remain competitive in the ever growing food market, it has to adapt a new product design. In the proposed design, the organization should consider the nutrient level of the product. Old folks do not consider taste as being the biggest factor when deciding the kind of products to purchase. This should be the biggest factor that Starbucks has to consider when deciding on their product development cycle. Snacks and drinks that the company has to offer should address the nutrient content. There must be special drinks for the diabetic and pregnant women. Three strategies that Starbucks need to implement while developing its products include increasing the variety of products offered to the people. Another strategy involves deciding providing drinks that are free of additives and some should have their original natural taste. Finally, the kind of snacks provided should be low in fat, sugar and salt content. 2. Five key components of supply chain management that affects Starbucks as an organization. According to Dam & Skjott-Larsen (2005), the five components of supply chain include planning, sourcing, making, delivering and returning. Starbucks needs to make a strategy on how to manage the resources in order to increase the customer demand for their products and services. The supply chain ensures that the company provides high quality products to its customers and thus win their loyalty (Dam & Skjott-Larsen, 2005). Sourcing to Starbucks involves a careful selection of suppliers to deliver goods and services required for the producti on of goods and services for the company. Managers of Starbucks need to develop a pricing and delivery system in the supply chain. Additionally, managers can also put down processes for managing their goods and inventory. In manufacturing, the supply chain manager should schedule the activities needed for the product