Starbucks management is bracing itself over how to handle possible confrontations from customers who disagree with the coffee giant’s former CEO and chairman Howard Schultz possible run for president as an independent candidate. Maxwell Strachan at HuffPost reports about a memo from Starbucks leadership to employees: If a customer attempts to investigate, or share aggressive political opinions, attempt to diffuse the situation by sharing: We respect everyone’s opinion. Our goal is simply to create a warm and welcoming space where we can all gather, as a community, over great coffee. If asked about Howard’s political intentions: Howard’s future plans are up to him. Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson also penned an open letter to employees, stating “Many of us will inevitably be asked if the company supports a possible presidential candidacy of Howard and what changes for Starbucks. As a company, we don’t get involved in national political campaigns. And nothing changes for Starbucks.” The problem with customers who become agitated or angry at Schultz–some might be upset because he’s mulling a run as a fiscally-minded independent, rather than as a Democrat, inciting fears that he could throw the 2020 presidential race again to President Trump–is they’re projecting their emotions in the wrong place.…
See original post: OP-ED: Howard Schultz Candidacy Might Upset Some Starbucks Customers, But It Shouldn’t