Words From Jim

ABOUT words from Jim

Advising

Leverage the expertise sharpened over 40 years with world-class brands. Our operating experience is deep, our leadership philosophy is based on being of service to others. Words From Jim helps cut through the clutter and deliver messages and results that matter.

It's About You and Your Team

Whether it's charting new and unexplored territory, growing rapidly or transforming during turbulent times, Words From Jim can help you pave the way. The goal is to improve your business and your organization. We do this by working collaboratively with your team to understand the key drivers for performance improvement and establish a clear strategy with action plans that achieve results.

Board Services

Navigating the rapids of change calls for a board with diverse and proven experience. Our's includes Commercial as well as Not-For-Profit Boards and as a Fortune 200 senior executive. With tested General Management experience, Operational Savvy, Real Estate and Development know-how and the ability to think Strategically, Words From Jim can play a critical role in your Board dynamic.

Fortune 200 Senior Executive

Meet Jim

Jim McDermet is an accomplished leader in hospitality and retail. He is an experienced Board Member and Advisor recognized for his ability to bring about organizational change and transformation, inspire teams and deliver results. Throughout his career, Jim has demonstrated the ability to think big, yet move with agility. His background combines the expertise gained from large world-class leaders like Starbucks Coffee Company and Burger King Corporation; with successful entrepreneurial start-up, franchise and turnaround experiences. He has successfully operated some of the world's leading consumer brands at early stage, during high growth while scaling, and led successfully at scale on a global stage. Jim's successes and reputation are built from a passion to draw the best from people he works with and a commitment to acting with integrity.

Prior to organizing WORDS FROM JIM LLC, Jim was a senior leader at Starbucks Coffee Company. His 14 year tenure at Starbucks culminated in his role as Senior Vice President Global Operations where he led global operations strategy and standards enterprise-wide and was a member of the Americas Business Leadership Team. Earlier, as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Seattle's Best Coffee (a Starbucks portfolio company), Jim transitioned the company to new levels of revenue growth and profitability by successfully repositioning the brand in the Foodservice, National Accounts and CPG space. Previously as Starbucks Division SVP, Jim had full responsibility for Starbucks $3 billion revenue and 3000 store Northeast Atlantic and North Central Divisions where he drove revenue and profit growth while significantly improving customer engagement and reducing employee turnover.

Words From Jim, LLC

Jim focuses his energies in board work and advisory roles for organizations in transition. These range from established mid-level companies positioning themselves for growth and start-ups that are charting their path forward. This work leverages the experiences, learnings and skills gained over a 40 year career of putting people first, being passionate about the customer and delivering financial results consistently. Jim serves in leadership capacities on both Commercial and Not-For-Profit Boards. He has successfully completed project work for various clients and has assisted several private equity firms in their due diligence efforts.

Entrepreneurial Experience

Prior to Starbucks, Jim played key leadership roles in two entrepreneurial ventures. First as President and COO, Jim grew Briazz from one Seattle location to over 30 locations of various formats in four markets (Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles) and grew annual revenue 15 fold in two years to $30M. Then, as as Senior Vice President and Division Manager of Coffee People, Jim repositioned and led the turnaround of this local, leading Oregon-based brand helping position it for a successful sale to Diedrich Coffee Inc.

Foundation as an Operator and Innovator

Jim's earlier career includes 20 years at Burger King Corporation in a variety of field and headquarters assignments during the company's rapid expansion. At Burger King, Jim gained his deep operational expertise supporting both company-operated and franchise restaurants. Jim also held roles at BK's headquarters. He led field and enterprise-level training and development early on in his career. On the Real Estate, Market Planning, and New Concept front, he led and developed non-traditional, joint ventures and co-branded business development opportunities with new limited menu innovations that created continued growth for Burger King in the United States and abroad.

Engaging Customers Where They Work, Shop or Play

Throughout his career, whether through his pioneering work in non-traditional retail development with Burger King, or executing Seattle's Best Coffee's strategy around the belief that everyone deserves a great cup of coffee, Jim has been passionately focused on developing retailing models to meet customer wants and needs in new ways.

How can Jim be of service to your Organization?

Focused on the fundamentals, with a keen understanding of the economics that drive successful businesses and a mindset that always puts people and customers first - How can we help you?

Consulting, Advising and Board Services