Starbucks CEO plans to work in the company's cafes

New Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan underwent 40 hours of barista training when he joined the company in October. He plans to put that training to practical use. “To keep us close to the culture and our customers, as well as to our challenges and opportunities, I intend to continue working in stores for a half day each month, and I expect each member of the leadership team to also ensure our support centers stay connected and engaged in the realities of our stores for discussion and improvement,” he wrote in a letter to employees.