...Value Alignment with Kudler Foods Name withheld MGT/521 May 2, 2011 Bob Armbrust, B.S., MBA Value Alignment with Kudler Foods According to my Ethics Awareness Inventory, I tend to base my ethical perspective on an individual’s duty or obligations to do what is morally right. In judging whether a person’s actions are ethical, I look to the intent behind their actions, rather than focus on results. From my perspective, ethical principles must be: (a) appropriate under any circumstances; (b) respectful of human dignity; and (c) committed to promoting individual freedom and autonomy. Human beings must never be treated simply as “means” to the accomplishment of some defined “end.” The end does not justify the means. In my ethical style, I believe that human beings have intrinsic value and the right to individual respect. I believe that fostering personal growth takes precedence over achieving efficiency through organizational and social structures that tend to “dehumanize” ethical decision making. Moral decisions must reflect the free choice of individuals if we ever expect to hold them personally responsible (The Williams Institute, UOPX). Kudler Fine Foods Kudler Fine Foods is a small business established in 1998 to fulfill Kathy Kudler’s vision of establishing her own gourmet food store. Kathy had a passion for gourmet foods but could not find the kind of selection of fine wine, cheese, produce, and meat that she was looking for. She valued a one-stop shopping...
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...How important are personal and organizational values in business? And what impact do each set of values have on one another? In this paper I will elaborate on these very questions. Values outline and give a framework of an individual or an organizations’ belief system or corporate culture, respectively. They (the values) are often used by outsiders as indicators to determine whether the outsiders wish to associate themselves with the individual or organization in question. Individuals within organizations may subscribe to their own set of values that may differ from the organization’s values that are a part of its corporate culture. As long as the differences are subtle those differences should not interfere with the operations of the business or organization. If, on a fundamental level the values of all parties are aligned we can say that there is sufficient congruency to promote harmony. However, if a number of individuals have drastically opposing values and beliefs, this conflicting ideology can lead to conflicts and a potentially hostile environment which could potentially be a breeding ground for business practices viewed by some as unethical. I strongly believe that as a society and as individuals we must always conduct business in an ethical and virtuous manner. I feel that it is our inherent duty to interact with fellow members of society with honesty, integrity, fairness, and mutual respect. We must always give others the benefit of the doubt. I’m a strong...
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...Personal Values and Kudler Fine Foods The Williams Institute of Ethics Awareness Inventory assists individuals in determining one’s personal values and ethical style. The assessment identifies four primary values that one possesses with regard to ethics. These values are character, obligation, results, and equity. One who values character tends to base their ethical perspective on what it is good to be, rather than what it is good to do. One who values obligation tends to base their ethical perspective on an individual’s duty or obligation to do what is morally right. One who values results tends to base their ethical perspective on the results or consequences of their actions. Finally, one who values equity tends to base their perspective on ethics on a concern for the instability of knowledge, the uncertainty of human judgment, and the lack of individuals who can truly qualify as experts in the discernment of what is right and what is wrong. (THE WILLIAMS INSTITUTE FOR ETHICS AND MANAGEMENT , 2008). Upon completing the assessment I discovered my values to revolve heavily around character. In the following paper I will describe my values, how my values align with the values of Kudler Fine Foods, and how this would affect my performance if I were a manager at Kudler. Bases on my results of the Williams Institute Ethics Awareness Assessment my values revolve heavily around character. Regarding my ethical perspective “(I) believe that ethics should focus on ways to help...
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...Personal Values: Kudler Fine Foods MGT/521 11/12/10 Dr. Olivia Herriford Personal Values: Kudler Fine Foods Determining personal values and designing a format for individual ethics requires dedication. According to McGraw-Hill Higher Education (2009), “The generally accepted principles of right and wrong governing the conduct of individuals” (Glossary, para. 16) is the definition of personal ethics. One tool that helps to understand this term is the software program the Ethics Awareness Inventory by The Williams Institute. This comprehensive assessment breaks down individual perspectives pertaining to specific situations presented within the program and provides insight relating to ethical decision making. Personal values The Williams Institute breaks down ethical values in four categories known by the acronym CORE. CORE stands for Character, Obligation, Results, and Equality (The Williams Institute, 2008). The perspective I most closely related to was Obligation with 24 points. In this area, Obligation is about duty, what a rational person ought to do morally as opposed to what her or she should do (The Williams Institute, 2008). Additionally, through the Obligation perspective, I am supportive to providing opportunities for individuals to grow and learn. This assessment also provides the perspective least aligned with individual values. My assessed perspective was Character, where I received -24 points. The definition of Character is “what is good to be rather...
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...Personal Values Paper The ability to evaluate professional and personal values and ethics is an important aspect in today’s organizations. The Ethic awareness inventory offers valuable information and insight to ones ethical point of view which enabled me to realize my own ethical standpoint and compare the result with the inventory analysis. Williams Institute Ethics Awareness Inventory Assessment helped me look at what are the personal values that I have in my personality. I got the scores or C and E. When reviewing the questions, I apparently felt that character is not as important in one making ethical decisions.. After the results were in, I questioned my self. I believe that one’s actions, decision making, how they interact, or fail to interact with others has a direct reflection on one’s character. Therefore, I do not consider a focus on one’s character to be the most important aspect in terms of ethical decisions. A person’s character is built through time and experience. The outcome of a decision is how we learn to respect one another. How the decision is made and who it affects has direct reflection on one’s character. Kudler Fine Foods has a values system like most savvy business owners. Kathy Kudler business owner of Kudler Fine Foods values excellent customer service and prides her staff on being customer oriented. Kudler is in the business of providing perishable goods by using only organic ingredients. Kathy purchases the majority of all her produce from local...
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...Running Head: KUDLER FINE FOODS STRATEGIC PLAN Kudler Fine Foods Strategic Plan Kudler Fine Foods Strategic Plan Organizations in today’s competitive business world must have a strong and effective strategic plan. Kudler’s Fine Foods must implement a plan that will carry its business to new heights. The strategic plan must include a mission,vision and values statement that will describe what the company stands for and why it exists. Kudlers Fine Food's goal is to be the premiere gourmet grocery store. Kudlers seeks to specialize in providing the finest meats, produce, cheeses, and wine. Kudlers will need to revise their vision statement, mission statement, and value statements in order to achieve being the industry leader in specialty foods. Organizational Mission A mission statement is why the organization was created and why it exists. A good mission statement not only explains why the organization exists but also what it hopes to achieve in the future. It articulates the organization’s nature, its values and its work. (Radtkey, J., 1998) Kudler’s mission is to provide a wide selection of the freshest ingredients as well as all the tools a gourmet cook could ever want. They are committed to providing their customers the finest selection of very best foods and wines so their customers’ culinary visions can come true. (Kudler, 2007) Vision A vision is a brief statement that captures the heart of the company and defines why it exists. (Lenehan...
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...Personal Values According to the article written by Dennis Jaffe, & Cynthia Scott, CEO Robert Haas noted his philosophy in an interview in Harvard Business Review: "We've learned...that the soft stuff and the hard stuff are becoming increasingly intertwined. A company's values-what it stands for, what its people believe in-are crucial to its competitive success. Indeed, values drive the business"(1). “Managers' attitudes and behaviors are built upon their personal value systems (PVS), Knowledge about the structure of management's PVS assists in understanding the attributes of corporate decision making”(2). In the past managers use to tell employees what to do and stand over them to make sure they did what they were told. Today managers are in a position in which they have to guide, train, and support, motivate, and couch employees (3). Because of this role managers have, their values play an important part in leading the team to accomplish the values expected from the company and their customers. In this paper the author will identify her values as determined by the Williams Institute Ethics Awareness Inventory self-assessment, how these values align with the values of Kudler Fine Foods, and how this would affect her performance as the manager of this organization. My Values According to Williams Institute Ethics Awareness Inventory self-assessment, this authors Ethical Profile is most closely aligned with obligation and least closely aligned with results. This...
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...Personal Values What are values? Values are qualities, standards, or principles individual’s uses as driving forces that influence their actions and reactions. Values are also considered psychological objects that we cannot see or touch, but are considered physical objects (Posner, 2010). Types of values include ethical or moral values, personal values, or core values (Fiset, 2007). “Values, personal values, and core values all refer to the same thing” (Best of Time Management, 2008). Values are used by individuals and organizations. “Using values help individuals and organizations energize everything concerned with them. In this paper, I am going reflect how my values align (or do not align) with the values of Kudler Fine Foods and how they affect my performance. Where Values Comes From Individuals inherit values. They learn from their parents, teachers, and other influential individuals in their life. Values can reflect the values of the place where an individual live. Values may change some, but they last a lifetime (Best of Time Management, 2008). Everyone have values that determine their decisions and guide their lives. Individuals may dedicate or give up their entire life to pursue their values (Posner, 2010). My Values Implementing values as an individual can always attract success, achievement, and well being for that person. I have a lot of values I implement, but I am only going to discuss a few values that I use. Some of my values consist of the...
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...Personal Values Tyrone Gibson MGMT 521 April 18, 2011 Mike Lee Abstract: Personal values compliment my thinking and translating them into action. By upholding ethical standards, freedom to choose what `s to be valued are limited based on differences in belief. Considering the experience of poor decisions in a corporate environment that I have encountered made by management has placed a debate on ethics and what I value as oppose to others. How values are displayed always brings disagreement among principles, and is tested over time. Personal Values are based on the beliefs upon individuals in which they determine is right are wrong. Based on my assessment from the “Williams Ethical Institute” has gathered my answers and closely aligned them with utilitarianism. This concept refers to results from actions that led to consequences. My views will generate a similar vision to Kudler Fine Foods based on the values I embrace. Values are designed to evaluate priorities, thinking, relationships, perspective, self reflection, and commitments. As a believer in utilitarianism my values are aligned with consequences from actions. I believe this concept is also similar to an old reference stating that “In life sometimes you have to do the wrong things for the right reasons.” This philosophy has been tested numerous times in life and with some reflection has caused me to second guess some decisions in which feelings and values collide. The key is...
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...The word values can be defined as having important and enduring beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or desirable and what is not. Values exert major influence on the behavior of an individual and serve as broad guidelines in all situations (Web Finance Inc, 2011). Every person in the world has values and they have been taught to them by what is around them. They may not all have been taught intentionally, but they are instilled in a person and stays with them as they get older. It either comes from experience, family, peers, or even from television. For me personally, I value most is independence. Not everybody feels the same way as I do but it’s what I have seen and I have experienced. Not only have I experienced it in my personal life but I have also learned how to be independent in the workplace. I am told or taught something once and from then on I need no help. My managers in the past have told me during my evaluations that it is something I succeed at. I have prided myself in never having to ask what I should be doing at work and I always keep myself busy. According to my self assessment reports, what ranked highest in were knowledge, self respect and security. When it came down to the ranking of instrumental values, truthfulness ranked number one. The reason I ranked it number one was due to my past experiences in the workplace. There are times when you have to be true to yourself and ask for help. I can relate...
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...Theme: There is always going to be information asymmetry between the investors in the public markets and the management inside the company because if everything were out in public, the firm would lose all competitive advantages. To combat this, full and timely disclosure will reduce the adverse selection problem so that markets work better, but adverse selection will never fully disappear. Insights: The fundamental value of a firm will always be larger than the efficient market price of a firm because there is a layer of inside information between the two values. The purpose of financial reporting is to make the publicly available information about the firm increase in order to shrink the gap between the two values. The possibility of adverse selection, insiders profiting off of their insider information at the disadvantage of outside investors, creates estimation risk for investors so they will effectively raise the cost of capital for the firm in order to compensate for this estimation risk. Since the reporting of all inside information is too costly compared to its benefits, the problem of adverse selection will continue to be present. In discussion about full disclosure, we should treat regulation like a “stick” and requires penalties to enforce it. However, the need for regulation will be reduced to the extent that “carrots”, like increased share price and lower cost of capital, begin to motivate full disclosure. These carrot and stick concepts are played out in the...
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...Chapter 2: Success sustaining values Values – Company’s treasure 1. Excellence 2. Innovation 3. Respect 4. Joy 5. Integrity 6. Social profit 7. Teamwork Chapter 3: Leading with values Roles of Value driven leader 1. Articulating the dream – “reason for being”. Company’s aspiration and why are they important. 2. Defining organizational success – define and work towards your dream. 3. Living the values – to do what you believe in. communicating the values at work place. 4. Cultivating leadership – inspired leadership. Existence of middle managers who bring their leadership qualities that sustain success. 5. Asserting values at times of crisis – handling crisis. 6. Challenging the status quo – make things happen. Example Midwest’s CHIP. Perpetual innovation. 7. Encouraging heart – with caring and encouragement leaders uplift the spirits and kindle the energy of people at work who may be wearing down. Chapter 4: Strategic Focus I. A constancy of purpose – Firms benefit from a clear strategy. Core Values (Cant change) -> Core Strategy(rare change) -> Integrated sub strategies (frequent change) -> Execution(continuous change) Core Values – 1. Identify customers 2. Identify purpose 3. Undeserved market segments 4. Serve in superior manner 5. Focus on core strategy Products change, needs don’t! Integrated sub strategies 1. Competitive advantage and sustainable success some from entire...
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...What values appear to be driving the doctors and nurses in the hospitals to treat heart attack patients? From the case study, the eleven hospitals utilize 90 minutes or less to deliver therapy in order to restore blood flow to heart attack patients. The followings are the values that appear to drive the doctors and nurses in the hospitals to treat the heart attack patients: (a) The hospitals are well organized, they have ability to reward high quality performance, and are flexible enough to deal with setbacks. (b) Teamwork is another important value that drives doctors and nurses when treating heart attack patients. This is important because they need to work quickly. (c) All the hospitals shared the same core values, they were committed to reducing delays throughout their process, they provided real-time data feedback to measure success and had innovative protocols and flexibility in refining their protocols. (d) Effective communication and ethics is also critical. Doctors and nurses commit to their profession not only for financial gain, but also because they value human life and want to make a difference in the world by preserving life. They are also sensitive to their patients’ needs. Without these values it would not be feasible for the hospital to maintain their success and reputation of delivering therapy to restore blood flow to heart attack patients in only 90 minutes or less. This huge accomplishment can only be achieved when the foundation and core values of an...
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...Internet marketing strategy of | Intymna.pl | | Ewa Czerechowicz | 2013-06-13 | Content About Intymna.pl 3 Defining values 5 Creating values 7 Communicating values 8 Value delivery 9 Summary 11 About Intymna.pl The company, founded in 2001, is the leader of online lingerie sales in Polish e-commerce. Their offer includes not only underwear, but also: clothing, leather goods, jewelry and cosmetics. Presently Intymna.pl receives over a million visits monthly and fulfils up to 5000 orders every month. Its customers come from 140 countries. The strength of Intymna.pl is its broad range of products, holding brands sold exclusively and high availability of goods which resulted in gaining trust of thousands of satisfied and loyal customers. According to the report E-commerce 2012 it is the third largest online shop in the “fashion” category. It ranked third in this category also in the report of Money.pl, where as many as 60 criteria are taken into account when assessing the polish online shops. The company has for many years been nominated for rankings and competitions, gradually gaining honours and awards, e. g. the main prize in the "Fashion Website Awards 2010" and honourable mention in the editing of the same in 2011, with distinction in Business Wings ranked 2011 in the category of micro-enterprises. The products offered by the company (in particular, own brands) are appreciated by stylists from the biggest Polish media houses, which results...
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...whether these traditional values became more of a liability during the 1990s and early 2000s. Japanese traditional Confucian culture helped Matsushita become a major economic power during the post-war years and through the 1980s. Just as my group-mate Donald has mentioned, Matsushita agreed to take care of its employees for life by providing many benefits, such as subsidized housing, retirement bonuses, and guaranteed lifetime employment. These benefits have been seen as a motivation for employees’ loyalty and commitment to the corporate. Therefore this traditional culture has built up a good industrial relationship in which the employees worked hard and Matsushita reciprocated by fulfilling their needs and wants. However, the prolonged economic slump that began in the 1990s made these commitments difficult to keep. Matsushita was saddled with high expenses and decided to cut the number of employees, in order words, abandon the lifetime employment. And this decision made many employees lose their confidence and loyalty to Matsushita. However, personally speaking, I don’t agree with the saying that traditional culture is a liability for Matsushita at that time. To better understand, I would like to share with you a video clip from Matsushita’s CEO defining about culture. According to Mr. Taylor, culture is dictated by the management team. Culture is the management style and the direction that management supports. Therefore the traditional Confucian value should not be blamed...
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