Environmental Factors and Marketing Decisions: StarbucksStarbucks offers a wide range of business activities. These activities allow the company to use numerous product distribution channels. Because the company operates in numerous locations around the world, environmental factors play an important role in marketing decisions. Each distribution channel is affected differently, and the company's flexibility in its marketing plan allows the company to adapt its strategies to meet the needs of environmental factors. Starbucks is known as the leading company of the finest coffee in the world. They purchase and roast high-quality whole bean coffees, sell them with fresh, rich Italian-style espresso drinks, pastries, confections, and coffee-related accessories and equipment. Starbucks provides a work environment that treats others with respect and dignity. The company considers diversity to be an essential component of how Starbucks operates. Starbucks also applies the highest standards of excellence to the purchasing, roasting and delivery of its fresh coffee. Starbucks believes that the company must always enthusiastically satisfy customers and contribute positively to our communities and our environment and recognize that profitability is essential to our future success (Starbucks.com, 2008).