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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Howard take the risk of allowing people outside of Starbucks to brew and serve their coffee on airplanes?

2. In order to spend more time with his family, what title does Howard give to Orin in 1994?

3. Bringing the story full circle, what reference does Howard make at the book's conclusion?

4. When does Starbucks face the crisis of rising coffee bean costs?

5. What is preventing Starbucks from switching to a polystyrene cup?

Short Essay Questions

1. What decisions does Starbucks make when the crisis is extended and eventually passes?

2. Why does Howard agree to allow United Airlines to serve Starbucks coffee on their flights?

3. What crisis hits the coffee industry and how does Starbucks initially react?

4. How does Howard find a bank to take Starbucks public?

5. What is an example of a negative claim that was made against Starbucks?

6. What causes the lowered quality of the coffee that United Airlines serves on its flights?

7. What makes the 1995 holiday season so disappointing for Starbucks?

8. What key events happen on the year that Howard turns forty?

9. How is Howard's reaction to the 1995 holiday season received by employees and what things does he encourage them to do?

10. How is the quality problem of the coffee served on United Airlines flights solved?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze Howard's initial impression of Starbucks, including how the employees respond to him and their preconceived notions, the observations he makes at a store level, and the ways that he attempts to change things. Also, explain what Howard does in order to learn as much as possible at the new company.

Essay Topic 2

Chronicle Howard's relationship with his father as it is presented throughout the book.

1) Describe the way Howard views his father during his childhood and his conflicting feelings of admiration and resentment.

2) Explain how Howard's opinions of his father changed after his father's death.

3) Describe the various ways that Howard's father's approach to life inspired him to build a company with specific values in mind.

Essay Topic 3

The founding principles of Starbucks are an important part of the company's success.

1) Describe the Mission Statement that Howard creates along with the benefits of having a mission statement for a company in general.

2) Explain who comprises the Mission Review Team and its purpose.

3) Analyze the core values of Starbucks as they are defined by Howard throughout the book.

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