Wal-Mart
Introduction
Wal-Mart is an American retail company having 6400 stores and over 1.8 million contacts internationally (Walmart). The success of the company has been in its mission statement and values it fosters. The mission declaration is similar to its advertising motto, which is “to help people save money so that they can live better.” On the other hand, to achieve the mission of the company, the values that it promotes are: grass roots and processes, sundown rule, open door policy, servant leadership, team work, 10-foot rule, and Wal-Mart cheer.
Analysis of company values
Grass roots and processes in the company entails listening to close associates as they are idea generators, listening to each employee, and improving customer service and associates. The 3 basic beliefs and values in the company are respect for individuals, service to customers, and motivation for excellence. 10-foot rule entails looking at a customer in the eye, greet him and ask the kind of help he/she deserves if within 10 feet. The open door policy signifies the freedom employees have with the management in sharing ideas and discussing policies. Servant leadership is promoted in the company where leaders are bred to serve partners and associates. Team work is a crucial value as it is believed that it makes employees do extraordinary tasks. The cheer is an important element that signifies the pride in the company and commitment to customers. Lastly, the sundown rule emphasizes on completing tasks before another day surfaces.
In the local management of a Wal-Mart store near my locality, the listed values are implemented differently by the management. For instance, grass roots and process is implemented through provision of suggestion boxes at strategic locations in stores, provision of fliers and catalogues showing latest offerings, and attractive discounts to enable customers save. Open door policy is implemented through ensuring that the working environment is in a setting where everyone can be seen and accessible. This prevents imaginary boundaries and promotes freedom amongst managers and employees. Servant leadership is implemented through ensuring that managers do not boss employees around and that they lead by example. This can be seen when managers talking to clients at some times instead of leaving the sub-ordinates to handle the matter. Lastly, team work has been implemented through ensuring that sales spots are manned by three or more employees, completing projects in groups, and supporting each other to make sales and marketing.
In analysing the mission statement and values of Wal-Mart, it is important to note that they both signify a company’s reason for existence (Talbort, 2003). In a good mission statement, employees would be inspired, focused, and guided in achieving the objectives set to lower level sub-ordinates. The values are important as they provide the identity of a company and make it stand out in the midst of competitors. However, the common elements of mission statements and values are signified in Wal-Mart’s mission statement and values where there is the description of the company’s target market, survival concern, growth and profitability, company’s philosophy, and desired image of the company (Talbort, 2003).
Conclusion
Therefore, if I was a manager in Wal-Mart I would strive to ensure that the set values are followed and maintained so that the identity of the company is preserved. As a manager I would implement the three basic beliefs by ensuring that employees are well trained on customer service including financing the training, and providing customer satisfactory surveys. Implementing team work would be through educational seminars, regular retreats, and provision of weekly group competitions. In order to promote servant leadership in the company, I would ensure that managers do not sit behind their desks—hands off management—but they take part in serving employees.
References
Talbort, M. (2003). Make your mission statement work: identify your organization’s value and live them every day. Oxford: How to Books. Pp. 45-78
Walmart Corporate Website. Available at:
http://walmartstores.com/AboutUs/295.aspx
