9. Human Resource Frame “We empower them to make their own decisions, creating a respectful workplace where people are treated fairly and are highly motivated to succeed.” “ [Our] core values transcend our size and our growth rate. By maintaining these core values…we can preserve what has always been special about our company. These core values are the soul of our company.”
10. Political Frame Hierarchy of Power in symbolic frame Mission must remain a constant Abilities for employees to resolve conflict Strict Absence/tardy policy no human quality when it comes to following rules/procedure. Teams operate without dependence on whole store Problems with gain sharing
11. Symbolic Frame Logo Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Becoming a member Underlying assumptions
12. Structural Frame Store Employees Store Leaders and Support Corporate Managers CEO- John Mackey
13. Norms Negative norms Not accessible to the all people in all areas. Locations are in affluent areas Selective in hiring Reframing Individual teams; very rarely get whole store camaraderie Reframe structure/political to be more human resource (profit sharing is only used between each individual team) * Need to discuss the artifacts, espoused beliefs, underlying beliefs Underlying belief = what we do is right, we’re the best, highly socially conscious Secretive Farmed fish (make a profit)
Whole Foods, founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas is a retail market of organic and natural foods. The mission is the driving force of the organization which reads: Whole Foods- Whole People-Whole Planet
Whole Foods beliefs are rooted strongly within their belief in commonality and common good. They take pride in reaching out to local growers as well as helping to develop the global economies of growers who firmly believe in fair trade. The passion for excellence and for nature is scattered through their organization. WFC was the first food organization to offer cash back incentives for reusing any paper or plastic bag (no matter what store it was from) They donate all of their unused food to local organizations within the community. They recommend the use of reusable materials in all of their packaging. They stirve to be a “green” organization who operates for it’s customers, it’s employees and its planet. Artifcats include the Logo, Fair Trade, Recyclable Bags, Brown take-out containers, and fresh vegetables. They also incorporate artists into their advertising. Sheryl Crow Bags, Andre 3000 and other artist MUSIC CD’s to promote their global aid organizations
Political frameAccording to both testimony and literature, WFC gives the majority of it’s power to it’s employees. The basic store worker holds the majority of the power within the companies functioning. Each member is encouraged to voice opinions, take charge of situations, solve problems, resolve conflicts, and practice living their lives the Whole Foods Way. In turn, the employees are provided with opportunity to travel to various parts of the world to learn about global trade and be provided with a context for our place in this large world. The employees are encouraged to participate in local and global charities. The WFC goals are clear. Each employee is expected to be ethically committed to these core values in order to help fulfill the mission on an everyday basis. New hires are expected to complete a 12 hour training course (broken up into 2 days) which educates the differences between natural and organic, provides expectations, and clearly associated ALL processes with the mission. Although these goals and values are established but the company, the employees are encouraged to take ownership of their position. They are encouraged to bring new idea to meetings and feel open to express any concerns or ask clarifying questions. They are asked to relay the mission to consumers in order to create a better environment and encourage more healthy living and eating.
All WF are set up similarly. The customer will walk into the natural and organic vegetable area. Bags are scattered throughout the store for purchase, Logo’s are visible and used to display important messages and special deals for that day. Fresh flowers are in aundacenadn the customer serivce desk is accessible from many sides. Customers are meant to notice all that helps make them feel comfortable throughout their hopping experience. WFC uses it’s Logo on ALL literature it produces. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle remain an underlying message throughout the store. They promote the use of canvas of recycled plastic bags to carry groceries and have stopped purchasing disposable bags to provide within their stores. Once their current supply runs out, the company has vowed not to purchase any more. Not only is all paper recycled, but it is natural or brown color. Inclded in their logo is the Whole Foods leaf. Not only is their literature printed using soy-ink, the colors they chose are primarily earth tones. All these underlying nuances help the consumer remember the mission without having to think about it constantly. All their store provided packaing in made from recycled materis. Their dining area is fashioned from recycled materials as well. Each logo/symbol is strategiaccly placed thourhgout the store to reming the workers and customers of their place within the global society. Green and Brown are the predominant colors throughout the store. One can become a member of the whole foods team (54,000 strong in the US an UK) through an online application process only. One must be able to access the internet in order to complete a job application. Team members are chosen for their commitment to the mission and their ability to make the mission their top priority. It is difficult to become a member of a WF team. The underlying assumptions are that applicants need to be educated, culturally diverse, willing to go above and beyond to please the customer, willing to participate in development in order to further knowledge, interested in reaching ones potenital and exceeding limits.
Structural Frame Six members of the Board of Directors All have experience in finance and business—not just a passion for organic foodsThere are 54,000 employeesHeadquarters in Austin Texas270 stores in the US and UK Store Team Leader (notice it is not “manager”)Team leaderAssistant team leaderCashiersDo a lot of promoting from within No organization chart posted, only a picture of the team leader behind the service deskCan only apply online through coporate9 distribution centers Regional bakehouses, commissary kitchens, seafood processing centers, coffee roasting, global and regional support officesRegional and in store trainers work with new and existing staff WFM-U (Whole Foods Market Universtiy)Designed to train employees onlineIntroduction to Organics Dietary Supplements and the Law Introduction to Quality Standards Gainsharing for Team Members
