Strategic Plan, Part I: Conceptualizing a Business

Jennifer Rodenhi

BUS/425

9-12-11
Al R. Pangelinan
Strategic Plan, Part I: Conceptualizing a Business Phoenix Greeting Cards was a long time dream of owners Jennifer Rodenhi and Janay Hood. The two business majors from met at the University of Phoenix and both had a strong liking for beautifully made greeting cards. The two graduates wants to create a business that would be set apart from Hallmark, Papyrus, and other notorious greeting card companies so the girls set out to start a new age company to suit the needs of every day greetings. The following paper will discuss the mission statement, which Phoenix Greeting Cards works by as well as a vision of what Phoenix Greeting Cards is striving to become in the future. Next guiding principles and values will be discussed, followed by an analysis of how the vision, mission, and values will guide Phoenix Greeting Cards strategic direction. The paper will end with an evaluation of how Phoenix Greeting Cards address customer needs and a critique how the business can achieve competitive advantage (University of Phoenix, 2010)
Mission Statement Mission Statement: Phoenix Greeting Cards card mission is to make sure that every customer is treated equally, and is completely pleased with their purchase. The employees at Phoenix Greeting Cards will support the companies’ mission by delivering superior customer service through recruiting, training, and assisting customers in a caring, trustworthy, and timely manner. We promise to provide customers with superior customer service that would include providing polite and courteous service to each customer. Employees have to treat their last customer the same way he or she would treat their first customer. Employees must stay respectable to each customer disregarding his or her diversity; our goal is to make each customer feel welcomed. As a company, we do not just promise the satisfaction of our customers but also our employees. If Phoenix Greeting Cards want to achieve their mission of keeping customers satisfied, they must keep their employees satisfied. Phoenix Greeting Cards guarantee employees with a safe and healthy work environment, which would encourage employees with recognition and effective communication.
Future Vision The owners of Phoenix Greetings Cards want to see their company blossom into a thriving business, which satisfies the needs of virtually everyone’s greeting card needs. Phoenix Greeting Cards would like to expand the merchandise to not only cards but also small gift items as well. As Phoenix Greeting Cards grows each store, much ensure the mission statement is still held high and that all customers are treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. Often times are stores grow from a small town success story into a booming business the morals and ethics are left behind which in turn leaves the customer’s in the dust.
Ethics and Values Phoenix Greeting Cards has a formal code of ethics that exist within the company. During training, each new employee would receive a new employee packet. Within the new employee, packet employees would receive information on how to maintain Phoenix Greeting Cards company mission statement. In the break room there is also a copy of the code of ethics posted on the wall to remind employees of the way to meet the company mission statement. Following these general guidelines will help the company remain ethical and on the path towards success. Phoenix Greeting Cards has a no tolerance policy when it comes to morality, ethics, and social issues. For example, if an employee believes he or she has fallen victim to discrimination because of his or her religious views, appropriate legal steps are put into action to protect the employee. Phoenix Greeting Cards will promote fairness in treatment of customers. When customers receive fair and equal treatment, they will continue to purchase product, which will continue to build a strong customer base. Without a strong customer base of loyal customers, a company will not survive. The staff at Phoenix Greeting Cards will need to maintain a strong sense of workplace values; integrity, efficiency, precision, and honesty are just a few of the values which each staff member should behold and embrace while working at Phoenix Greeting Cards. Without a firm grip on workplace values Phoenix Greeting Cards will become a business on the wayside and not the first thought when customers need greeting cards and gift items.
Analysis
Phoenix Greeting Cards will utilize future plans, mission, and values to aid in their success in always keeping the business up to if not beyond par with competitors. Phoenix Greeting Cards will need to set themselves apart but providing the utmost in quality customer service, by offering to go the extra step to service the customer. These type of business traits will continually ensure the customer that their business and happiness is first on the list at Phoenix Greeting Cards. While putting the customer first, Phoenix Greeting Cards sets itself apart from the larger chain management stores and creates a hometown feeling in each store location.
Evaluation
Phoenix Greeting Cards will set themselves apart from the other greeting card companies by continually striving to be first on their customers mind when a greeting card is needed, to achieve this Phoenix Greeting Cards will provide the customers with the best customer service as well as always going that extra step to leave a great impression with the customer. Each customer will be treated as if the store solely depends on their business, whether that customer be visiting the store for the first time or four hundredth time, each experience shall be exceptional. Treating each customer in this manner will give Phoenix Greeting Cards the upper hand against the larger greeting card chains. Phoenix Greeting Cards will strive to become the best source for your greeting card and gift item needs. When you step foot into a Phoenix Greeting Cards location you will be overcome with a sense of respect and appreciation from the staff. All Phoenix Greeting Cards locations will continually hold each customers wants and needs close to their core and ensure each customer is taken care of in a timely and respectful manner.

References
University of Phoenix. (2010). Course Syllabus. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, BUS475 website.