Memorandum

To:

Julia Intawiwat

From:

Tayler Green

Date:

10/14/15

Re:

Chapter 3 Exercise 2

The Ethisphere Institute publishes a list of the worlds most ethical companies by having the Worlds
Most Ethical Companies Methodology Advisory Panel rate companies through an objective,
standardized way. The five core categories of these rankings are:
1.

Ethics and Compliance Program

2.

Corporate Citizenship and Responsibility

3.

Culture of Ethics

4.

Governance

5.

Leadership, Innovation and Reputation

For my company, I have chosen to investigate Starbucks from the 2015 Honorees list under the group
Special Eateries. Their mission statement exemplifies their ethic-centered company with, We make
sure everything we do is through the lens of humanity- from our commitment to the highest quality
coffee in the world, to the way we engage with our customers and communities to do business
responsibly. The amount of recognition and honor awards theyve received is admirable as one of
the Most Admired Companies in America by Fortune magazine from 2003-2015, and a 100% rating
on the Corporate Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in 2015.
What makes Starbucks incredibly ethical is their combination of quality product, customer
experience, and working environment. As an international force, theyve chosen to work with coffee
bean sellers that promote ethical work environments and compensation, and with the profits
Starbucks has made, they involve themselves in the global community. Their current initiative is,
Raise a cup, and a million trees, in celebration of coffee, which plants trees for every one bag of
coffee.
I might be slightly biased because Im a fan of Starbucks and the promotions they run, but I think it
would be hard to disagree with their ethic culture. I love that they support artists in some of their cup
campaigns, have a global sense of ethics, and provide great quality all while doing so. They
demonstrate that a company should be for more than profit, but to create positive change and
innovation in the world.

October 14, 2015

CONFIDENTIAL