When Howard Schultz returned to be Starbucks CEO for the third time last year, he made it clear he wasn't staying. Last week, he stepped down, handing over the role to Laxman Narasimhan.
Narasimhan, a former PepsiCo executive and chief executive of U.K.-based Lysol-maker Reckitt, was picked for the job last September. He spent the transition period mostly in the background. Starbucks said he was immersed in the coffee giant's culture and operations, and getting certified as a barista.
His first week on the job embodied much of what is in store for him — from union strikes across the nation to introducing himself to investors. It also presented his intention to reach out to front-line workers as he said he plans to work once a month in a cafe.
