Business Communication and Character

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Howard Schultz Update

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has decided not to run for president, after all. He communicated the news in an email and on his website. In the email, fonts changed in the middle, but it looks better online. At right are the first few paragraphs.

The full message explains his reasons, which include the election process and his health.

Discussion:

  • Analyze the message. Consider the audience, communication objectives, writing style, organization, and reasoning. What works well, and what can be improved?

  • At what point does he announce the news?

  • What are his strongest and weakest arguments for not running for president?

  • What causes fonts to change in the middle of an email, and how can you avoid this in your own writing?