In the preceding post I mentioned how accounting firms are using Employee-Generated Media (EGM) in the form of short videos to help recruit new employees.
How about this instance of EGM … the just-published HOW STARBUCKS SAVED MY LIFE.
Michael Gates Gill, a former ad-exec, dropped out of the corporate rat race and found happiness while working a $10.50/hr job as a Starbucks Barista. Michael chronicles his self-discovery story in HOW STARBUCKS SAVED MY LIFE. (Read an excerpt here.)
It’ll be interesting to see how (or if) Starbucks embraces this book as an act of “employee-generated media.” Having a book on the market extolling the virtues and values of a company treating its employees well can only help in the recruitment of new employees.
On a side-note … Gill’s Starbucks story is remarkable, but not isolated. There are numerous stories of corporate refugees finding solace as a Starbucks Barista. I recall one such corporate refugee parlaying her Starbucks Barista job into being a Starbucks Zone Marketing Director.
Learn more about Michael's story:
>> USA TODAY article
>> NY Times article
>> WSJ Journal review
>> Reveries article
Brings to bear a question we can ask ourselves:
Can your company save a corporate soul?
Thanks for pointing out the book/story. Very inspirational!
Posted by: DUST!N | September 20, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Let's hope Starbucks leverages this type of positive publicity. Starbucks is a great example of a company that lives its brand promise at every level of the company. I've also heard stories from people who have left higher paying jobs to become Starbucks Baristas citing a great work atmosphere and benefits for part-time workers as perks that can't be beat. I didn't realize the shift to Starbucks was so common.
Posted by: Susan Gunelius | September 22, 2007 at 09:54 PM