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Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing Its Soul Audiobook, by Howard Schultz Play Audiobook Sample

Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing Its Soul Audiobook

Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life Without Losing Its Soul Audiobook, by Howard Schultz Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Stephen Bowlby Publisher: Highbridge Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 8.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 6.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781611744927

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

35

Longest Chapter Length:

42:39 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

09:08 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

21:42 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

4

Other Audiobooks Written by Howard Schultz: > View All...

Publisher Description

In 2008, Howard Schultz, the president and chairman of Starbucks, made the unprecedented decision to return as CEO eight years after he stepped down from daily oversight of the company to become chairman. Concerned that Starbucks had lost its way, Schultz was determined to help it return to its core values and restore not only its financial health, but also its soul. In Onward, he shares the remarkable story of the company’s ongoing transformation under his leadership revealing how, during one of the most tumultuous economic times in history, Starbucks again achieved profitability and sustainability without sacrificing humanity. A compelling, candid narrative documenting the maturing of a brand as well as a businessman, Onward represents Schultz’s central leadership philosophy: It’s not just about winning, but the right way to win.

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"Howard Schultz holds nothing back in his tail of Starbucks Coffee Company's transformation. He is, at times, so vulnerable, I felt as if I was eavesdropping in his brain. He unfolds the story of Starbucks with humility and honesty, careful to give credit and commend where it is due. How Starbucks operates within its core values is a model for other businesses to follow. The amount of service shown to the communities and to the partners is what sustainability champions. Starbucks ultimately shows how innovation can never be shelved and failure can always lead to greatness."

— Shar (5 out of 5 stars)

Onward Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.46875 out of 53.46875 out of 53.46875 out of 53.46875 out of 53.46875 out of 5 (3.47)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 7
2 Stars: 5
1 Stars: 2
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
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  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Outstanding book on business comebacks! "

    — Jay, 10/21/2018
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I'm not a big nonfiction reader, but Howard Schultz is a great writer, and he obviously has a great deal of passion for his company. He was able to make business fun and entertaining, and the book is stuffed with information about the company. Anybody who works in business or is studying business should read this book. Very enlightening. "

    — Kira, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I actually quit reading this about halfway through. The story was interesting, but way too many details, it just kept going on and on with more (in my opinion) mundane details. I was looking for more out of this book, was just to bored to continue with it. From a high level it is an interesting story. "

    — Maryann, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Writing was a bit over-the-top. Didn't feel I gained any real insights into the ceo or the company. Everything was "There was a huge hurdle and the world was depending on us but yes, we did it! I always knew we could!" Decent book, but not great. "

    — Dena, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As someone who worked (quite intensely) in the machinery of a fast-food coffee retailer, this book is riveting for me. While my brief foray into store management was for Dunkin, not Starbucks, a lot of this hits home. (Particularly since Dunkin's perspective on the coffee business is quite different.) The narrative on leadership is idealistic, but striking. "

    — Helene, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I like this book more the insight into rebuilding a business than for the writing itself, which is so-so. "

    — Kate, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was great from an employee's point of view. It really helped me to realiZe what a great company I work for. "

    — Ryeker, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " There was too much "I" in this book. I just couldn't get through the entire thing .... "

    — Mary, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Just okay - 2.5 stars. "

    — Kristen, 12/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book, through the authors words you could feel the soul of an entrepreneur. An honest account of a entrepreneur trying to revive his company who had lost his way. His passion behind his words may drive you to buy a cup of star bucks the moment you finish the book :) "

    — Dennis, 12/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " skimmed it "

    — Ruth, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " His first autobiography is much better. "

    — Marc, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An interesting read about how Starbucks grew from just one coffee shop in Seattle to the massive chain that we all know today. While the message about retaining the soul of the business is clear the book became a little boring as I read through and hence found it difficult to finish. "

    — Derek, 12/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great behind the scene of revitalizing a brand "

    — Lee, 10/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " simply riveting and deeper.. "

    — Herman, 5/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It is very cool to hear the reasoning behind someone's passion!!! "

    — Jean, 1/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " He has a passion for his craft and it clearly shows in his writing. Unfortunately, it doesn't come through in his coffee. "

    — Kenny, 12/13/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Worth the read to see how Schultz turned Starbucks around. There is so much more to coffee than you think! "

    — Heather, 4/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I loved this book on Leadership! Lots of very practical examples of how to stick to your core value base even though outside pressures are immense! "

    — Philip, 4/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " excellent account of the Starbucks turnaround and how Schultz came back as CEO and learn to remake the company. There is no 1 strategy or silver bullet, just laser sharp focus on execution and focus on customers and 'partners'. "

    — Tony, 12/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As both a customer of Starbucks and someone interested in the business world, I found this to be a fascinating read. There were some sections of 'businessese' that were a bit dense to read and difficult to understand, but Howard's passion for his company and his people rings true on every page. "

    — Stephanie, 9/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " By page 6 the "Why" of Starbucks was boldly stated and for the rest of the book Howard Schultz and his co-writer Joanne Gordon when about showing how he did it. Fascinating read and a few pearls for any entrepreneur or business leader. "

    — Bryce, 6/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A business book about how Howard Schultz returned to the post of CEo at Starbucks, and honed the company's focus. "

    — Pam, 5/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great read. Interesting stories about coffee and Starbucks. "

    — Ian, 5/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love Starbucks, I can't deny it. "

    — Halle, 5/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Just Blech... I can't stand their burnt charred excuse for coffee, and now I can't stand their "mightier-than-thou" ceo (note little letters, cause thats how they roll @ sb.... stupid). "

    — Hardeep, 5/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A bit of a sales job. But a good read if you're running a business<br/> "

    — Richard, 5/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good business book and makes me want to go to Starbucks right now "

    — Garrett, 5/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A great view of not only Starbucks during its hard time; but, how a CEO struggled and ultimately succeeded in his quest to right the wrongs in his company. Great read and good insight. "

    — Taylor, 5/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " While Schultz's writing style is very approachable for the non-businessminded, I couldn't stay quite interested or relate enough to the topic to see it through to the end. Folks in the business world could probably get a lot out of it. "

    — Sarah, 4/25/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fascinating account of the transformation of America's largest coffee business. "

    — Alexandra, 4/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I was looking forward to this book by the CEO of Starbucks b/c I was interested in the history of this coffee institution. However, the prose is in an appallingly self-congratulatory tone. Truely gagworthy. "

    — Anne, 4/17/2011

About Howard Schultz

Howard Schultz is the chairman, president, and CEO of Starbucks and the author of the New York Times bestsellers Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul and Pour Your Heart into It.

About Stephen Bowlby

Stephen Bowlby has worked as a professional voice actor for more than forty years. His experience spans animation, character work, commercials, and narration. He has read numerous audiobooks throughout his career, including titles by Harold Robbins, Stuart M. Kaminsky, John Sculley, William P. McGivern, and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz.