...Answer for Case 1A: Trader Joe’s 1. How does Trader Joe’s design jobs for increased job satisfaction and higher performance? Job satisfaction has positive relationship with higher performance. The satisfied employees will produce organizational citizenship behaviors which will impact on the higher performance workforce. Trader Joe’s has designed jobs to increase job satisfaction by showing appreciation in providing more benefits to their employees than other chain grocers. Trader Joe’s provide benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, company paid retirement, paid vacation and 10% employee discount. Through these benefit, Trader Joe’s achieve its objective to give 100% job satisfaction to its employees. In relation with the job performance, when the employees happy with such benefit, they are willing to work hard to achieve higher performance. Traders Joe’s also recruits people with the effective managerial skills which are the combination of technical skills, human skills and conceptual skills. Trader Joe’s train its employees to perform specialized tasks using knowledge and expertise gained from the experience. Each of the employees are very good in product knowledge because they have been encourage to taste and learn about the products first before they ready to sell to the consumers. Means, the employees can share the experience using or taste the product and to convince the consumers. As a result, the knowledgeable and responsiveness of the employees meet...
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...Trader Joe's Keep Things Fresh Leslie Taylor Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Organizational Behavior MGMT 317 Dr. Dwayne Thomas June 6, 2015 Trader Joe's Keep Things Fresh 1. How does Trader Joe’s design jobs for increased job satisfaction and higher performance? Trader Joe’s success with their employee’s is based on hiring individuals who are “ambitious and adventurous, enjoy smiling and have a strong sense of values” (Uhl-Bien, Schermerhorn Jr., & Osborn, 2013, p. 98). Trader Joe’s employees’ exhibit job satisfaction and higher performance because they are compensated very well in their earnings, benefits and professional growth opportunities. Employees’ that are based in California stores “can earn almost 20 percent more than counterparts at supermarket giants Albertsons or Safeway” (Uhl-Bien et al., 2013, p. 98). 2. In what ways does Trader Joe’s demonstrate the importance of each responsibility in the management process: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling? Management promotional opportunities are given solely to employees from within the company. To ensure managers are running the business from both the company expectations and the customer expectations, training programs are made available to crew members that guide in the planning and leading of future managers. It is most important that managers keep the customer focus in leading crew members for customer satisfaction. 3. Describe the methods that show Trader Joe’s knows the importance...
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...Job Satisfaction Trader Joe Kimberly Love Dr. Thomas Schaefer Business 520 Leadership and Organizational July 20, 2014 Trader Joe’s founder had a perception for his stores after vacationing in the Caribbean. He perceived that the customers would try new things while on vacationing. Also realized that less is better. Many time customers buy more when there is less to choose from in that store. Their attention is only selective when there is not a big variety of supplies. Trader Joe case describes the business practices and how they reinvented themselves. Trader Joe’s set themselves apart from the 7- Eleven style store they had and they became top competitors to Whole Foods and Dean and Deluca giants. The case gives a description on the history of the retail chain and various aspects of its unique business practices. The retail store offered a selection of exclusive, which were mostly private-labeled products, and replaced poorly performing products with new ones. Trader Joe’s is a small supermarket chain which offers a limited selection of unique food products at reasonable prices. It sales most of its products under the private label 'Trader Joe's' and its variants. T.J. targets its stores at highly educated and travelled, but not necessarily wealthy, segments of the population. Trader Joe has a team of experienced buyers, who does extensive traveling and research before bringing new products into the stores (Palmeri, 2008). Trader Joe also avoids the...
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...Satisfaction Examine the approach Trader Joe’s uses to promote a positive work environment for its employees. Determine at least three (3) ways in which Trader Joe’s is able to increase job satisfaction and performance. What is the relationship between job satisfaction and job performance? Before we can find a connection between the two, we must first examine how attitude influence behavior. An attitude refers to a “predisposition to respond positively or negatively to someone or something” (Schermerhorn, Osborn, Uhl-Bien, & Hunt, 2012). In other words, it is the way we feel about various things in our environment (e.g. people, school, or work). At work, for example, our attitude depends on how we feel about being there, which influence how we behave. One of the most common job attitudes is job satisfaction. Job satisfaction refers to the feelings or attitude a person has toward their job, either positive or negative (Schermerhorn et al., 2012). There are many factors that are able to affect the satisfaction level within a work environment. Smith, Kendall, and Hulin (1969) designed the Job Descriptive Index to measures these factors. The JDI measures five facets, including satisfaction with: the work itself, quality of supervision, relationship with co-workers, promotion opportunities and pay. These components are important for managers and leaders to be concerned with because they often determine the success of an organization. Trader Joe’s, for example, is a company that...
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...Trader Joe’s Discussion Questions 1. One way Trader Joe’s encourages its employees to increase the level of performance and job satisfaction is by showing them appreciation. Employees at Trader Joe’s not only are compensate with a salary but they also receive benefits such as medical, dental, vision insurance, company-paid retirement, paid vacation, and a 10% employee discount. 2. Trader Joe’s give managers the knowledge of the company’s system and it also helps them to form that kind of loyalty they need in order to run the stores. In fact, managers’ role is to keep customers involved in the philosophy of the company so customers are provided with a wide knowledge of the products that the company offers. The four different aspects on which managers have to focus are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. All of functions are important within the company and each of them has particular tasks. For example planning is obtained by the pursuit of value which is good tasting and quality at a low cost. 3. Trader Joe’s’ concerns in human capital is demonstrated by how it values all the employees within the company. In order to make the company successful in achieving its goal, Trader Joe’s gives its workers the knowledge of its system and it also teaches them everything about the different products. Briefly the human capital at Trader Joe’s is obtained by training and inspiring the workers and by valuing them through high benefits and salaries. 4. The value chain is “a...
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...[pic] TRADER JOE’S Description: Trader Joe’s has become a multi-billion dollar national chain partly through its ability to find cheap real estate, skip name brands and smartly manage its supply chain. It’s also due to its workforce management practices. Below, excerpts from a book Trader Joe’s Adventure, review the company’s management compensation, encouragement of multitasking, screening and wages, careful use of money, fun culture, sense that its people are its brand, and communication style. Learning Objective: Our focus with this case is on immersing students in the fundamentals of organizational culture. Organizational culture is defined as a complex set of shared beliefs, guiding values, behavioral norms, and basic assumptions acquired over time that shape our thinking and behavior; they are part of the social fabric of the organization—its genetic code. As such, culture drives the organization and guides the behavior of everyone in that organization—how they think, feel, and act. In other words, the culture forms a behavior template. Davis and Landa succinctly captured the essence of culture when they say, The factors which define culture are in part internal, deriving from the unique character of the organization and, in part external, determined by the background and experiences managers and employees bring to the enterprise. Culture is a major determinant of productivity; it shapes organizational responses to external pressures; and suppresses or enhances...
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...[pic] TRADER JOE’S Description: Trader Joe’s has become a multi-billion dollar national chain partly through its ability to find cheap real estate, skip name brands and smartly manage its supply chain. It’s also due to its workforce management practices. Below, excerpts from a book Trader Joe’s Adventure, review the company’s management compensation, encouragement of multitasking, screening and wages, careful use of money, fun culture, sense that its people are its brand, and communication style. Learning Objective: Our focus with this case is on immersing students in the fundamentals of organizational culture. Organizational culture is defined as a complex set of shared beliefs, guiding values, behavioral norms, and basic assumptions acquired over time that shape our thinking and behavior; they are part of the social fabric of the organization—its genetic code. As such, culture drives the organization and guides the behavior of everyone in that organization—how they think, feel, and act. In other words, the culture forms a behavior template. Davis and Landa succinctly captured the essence of culture when they say, The factors which define culture are in part internal, deriving from the unique character of the organization and, in part external, determined by the background and experiences managers and employees bring to the enterprise. Culture is a major determinant of productivity; it shapes organizational responses to external pressures; and suppresses or...
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...Case Study 1: Examining Emotions, Attitudes, and Job Satisfaction Leadership and Organizational Behavior (BUS 520) Dr. Antoinette Bridges KB Gause January 26, 2015 Case Study 1: Examining Emotions, Attitudes, and Job Satisfaction When grocery stores come to mind, we often tend to think of the typical family-friendly environments we’re accustomed to—like our local Publix or Food Lion supermarkets. They are generally set up the same way, they offer almost all the same products, and they’re management operates in almost the same or very similar fashions. The employees are usually pleasant and friendly, their hours of operation are about the same, and most local supermarkets tend to sell products grown or manufactured locally. So what sets these regular supermarkets apart from one another? Aside from price differences and a few differing product offerings from store to store, there aren’t very many differences. This is where stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s come in and break the “boring” grocery store mold. Unlike other chain supermarkets and grocery stores, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are specialty foods stores. They offer a variety of the freshest foods and ingredients grown both locally and from around the world. These stores are also very popular for their sustainability efforts that range from the organic products they sell to the paper bags they use when bagging customers’ purchases. These companies are also very well known for not only satisfying...
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...Case Study 1 - Trader Joe’s Patrice Coleman BUS520 – Leadership and Organizational Behavior Instructor: Dr. Anthony Muscia January 11, 2015 1. Examine the approach Trader Joe’s uses to promote a positive work environment for its employees. Trader Joe’s is able to increase job satisfaction and performance in the following ways. I. Compensation Trader Joe’s offers new employees a generous compensation package inclusive of above market wages, retirement contributions, medical benefits, dental vacation, paid vacation time and a 10% discount. The competitive wages offered to part-time and full-time employees alike makes Trader Joe’s one of the highest paying employers in the retail grocery store industry, with part-time employees earning close to 20k annually, full time employees earning between 40k to 60 annually and store managers average compensation over six figures. “According to Glassdoor, the average Trader Joe’s crew member earns $13.20 an hour. Pay starts at around $9, but raise opportunities come often, and employees have the opportunity to earn a $2 per hour raise every year.” (Mazzoni, 2014) II. Collaborative Environment The overall work environment at Trader Joe Markets is very informal with employees donning Hawaiian Shirts as part of their work uniform, and a smile as they greet and engage customers to enhance their overall shopping experience. Daily tasks are routinely shared amongst all staff, and it is not uncommon to see store managers...
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...Steven White BA914-E1 Organizational Behavior Case 1A – Trader Joe’s 1. Trader Joe’s has built their business on knowing and connecting with their customers. They place this same belief in their hiring process. They strive to attract friendly individuals with strong family values and experience in a retail environment. Trader Joe’s believes in providing their customers with a friendly face, knowledge of their product lines, and developing a personal relationship with the locals shopping at their stores. They create job descriptions that highlight a more light hearted and emotional approach to working for them. This allows them to attract a more dedicated, friendly individual. This type of dedicated employee is more likely to have more positive interactions with their customer base. 2. A good manager is the foundation of an evolving, growing company. Following the management process can propel employees and the company as a whole. Trader Joe’s focuses on each aspect of this process to maximize their success. a. Planning - Based on this article the planning process for Trader Joe’s starts before the hiring phase. They researched early on about how to connect with potential employees in a feel good approach. This fosters a good relationship for a new incoming hires from day one. b. Organizing – Trader Joe’s sees a value in their employees. By providing a comprehensive benefit package for its employees they help their employees organize their...
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...Examining Emotions, Attitudes, and Job Satisfaction BUS 520 – Leadership and Organizatinal Behavior . Emotion, attitude and job satisfaction can influence decision-making. A poor decision-making is an effect of negative behavior or mood and can interfere with a person’s job or decision-making. Job satisfaction is another way whereby employees can be influence. Emotions determine job satisfaction (and vice-versa) and how employees attitude influence the performance of the organization. Having all these traits can be asset to all the managers and directors in a company whose job is to entail the planning and decision-making. Making sense on how people behave can depend on understanding their attitudes. Some people can have emotional attachments toward the company they work for (and some don’t). Managers can have some strong influence over the satisfaction of employees and how they are treated fairly. Managers have a collection of feelings and beliefs that can be strongly attached to job satisfaction. I have come to notice that ambition can negatively influence job satisfaction more so in making decisions in part of the roles that the employees play. Job satisfaction in other words, can be placed as a positive emotional state resulting from a great culture to another, providing better chances to employee’s participation in decision-making. Job satisfaction can be one-dimensional if it comprises evaluation in the interest of employee’s attitudes. Later...
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...Trader Joe’s (MMLD): Motivation, Management, Leadership & Development Trader Joe’s is a major food retailer who has developed quite the name for themselves. It has well over 350 stores in over 32 states and is expected to continually grow over the next few years (Bond, 2012). For over 50 years, Trader Joe’s has been providing quality customer services, products and a unique shopping experience for its customers. They have come a very long way from when they first officially opened their doors. Trader Joe’s started when its founder Joe Coulombe wanted to find a way to differentiate his 7-Eleven stores (Schermerhorn, Osborn, Uhl-Bien & Hunt, 2012). In the food retailer industry, Trader Joe’s has developed a process that works well and allows them to be a big competitor. To be successful a company has to have employees that can effectively and efficiently operate the business. Trader Joe’s knows all about surrounding their company with quality employees. Making sure they hire the right employees has been one of their main reasons for success (Kowitt, 2010). However, to retain loyal employees it’s very important to have a system in place that motivates employees. Thru motivation companies are able to motivate its which ultimately leads to an increase in job satisfaction and performance. Many companies utilize the Reinforcement Theory to motivate employees. The theory mainly observes the influences that consequences have on individual behavior (Schermerhorn et al., 2012)...
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...Case Study 1 Rodney Back Strayer University BUS 520: Leadership and Organizational Behavior October 26, 2014 Abstract For over fifty years Trader Joe’s has had success in competing with retail giants such as Whole Foods and Dean & DeLuca. Why has Trader Joe’s had so much success? In this paper I will attempt to answer that question by 1: Examine the approach Trader Joe’s uses to promote a positive work environment for its employees. Determine at least three (3) ways in which Trader Joe’s is able to increase job satisfaction and performance. 2: Determine how Trader Joe’s uses the management process (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling) to develop its employees. 3: Suggest two (2) ways that leaders can effectively manage relationships in general by using the four (4) EI competencies. 5: Recommend at least three (3) leadership practices that Trader Joe’s could implement in order to increase the competitive edge of the organization. Examine the approach Trader Joe’s uses to promote a positive work environment for its employees. Determine at least three (3) ways in which Trader Joe’s is able to increase job satisfaction and performance. Trader Joe’s has a few different approaches it uses to promote a positive work environment for its employees. One approach that they use, and it’s the reason why anybody works is pay. The average American cashier makes $20,230 a year, a salary that in a single-earner household would leave a family of four living under the...
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...1. Examine the approach Trader Joe’s uses to promote a positive work environment for its employees. Determine at least three (3) ways in which Trader Joe’s is able to increase job satisfaction and performance. By making employees a priority and showing appreciation for them, Trader Joe’s has managed to retain loyal employees. Many retailers claim that their employees are top priority, but unfortunately do not treat them as such and do not provide an environment conducive to their growth and development. In an effort to increase job satisfaction and performance, Trader Joe’s has designed jobs that focus not only on actual work/retail experience, but they seek employees who possess “soft skills” such as, ethical, ambitious and overall happy/pleasant personality (Hunt, Osborn, Schermerhorn, Uhl-Bien pg.w-100). In addition to acquiring quality employees, Trader Joe’s encourages their staff and has created a work environment in which employees are trained to be extremely knowledge about the store and its products, thus employees are then able to engage customers creating a positive experience for them. It is the goal of Trader Joe’s to nurture their employees through training; as a result, they have a higher job performance rate. In a huge effort to show how much Trader Joe’s values their employees, those who work for them are considerably compensated much more than other retailers. They provide starting benefits, to include medical, dental insurance, company paid retirement and...
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...Question # 1- Examine the approach Trader Joe’s uses to promote a positive work environment for its employees. Determine at least three (3) ways in which Trader Joe’s is able to increase job satisfaction and performance. Job satisfaction can be described as an attitude that reflects an individual’s feelings towards one’s job, co-employees and the environment in which one works. These feelings can either be positive or negative. A person who enjoys what he or she does will be satisfied and have a positive feeling. A person who does not like his or her job will be dissatisfied and have negative feelings towards the job (Schermerhorn, Osborn, Uhl-Bien, & Hunt, 2012). Job performance can be described as what leaders in an organization or business expects of their employees as they carry out tasks or activities assigned to them (“Job,” 2014). Trader Joe’s as a company promotes a positive work environment for its employees by creating an environment where everyone is involved in the activities of the company. This company has a benefit package that is better than most companies in the industry. It pays its employees wages that make and keep them happy. There is an environment where every individual is valued as well as what each member of the company can contribute to the business. Trader Joe’s creates an environment of fun where everyone enjoys what they do from the manager (captain) to the employees (Lewis, 2005). Three (3) ways in which Trader Joe’s can increase job satisfaction...
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