Theo Chocolate Case Study Answers

To: | Jeffrey Galbraith | From: | Master Minds- Kirstin Miner, Madeleine Roberts, Alyssa Tan, Jen Penza | Date: | March 5, 2013 | Re: | Evaluation of Theo Chocolate | | | | |
Hello Jeff! Team Master Minds is excited to share with you today our findings on Theo Chocolate’s social responsibility record and why they are proud to say they stand by their word. They pride themselves on being the only Organic, Fair Trade, Fair for Life certified, Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Factory in North America. They are passionate about their product and about preserving the natural environment where the cacao bean grows in order to keep the industry strong and profitable, all the while making the customers healthy and happy. Below we have prepared
Customers: Theo’s customers are probably educated consumers who care about where their food comes from, how it is produced, and whether any mistreatment of the environment or workers is involved in producing the product. In today’s society being “healthy” is the message sent across America to make a part of your lifestyle in order to live longer and maintain health. Therefore Americans don’t feel as bad when they know they are eating chocolate that is better for them that is why Theo Chocolate has developed a niche in the cocoa industry and have created a high demand that equips to today’s values.
Products: Theo produces organic, fair-trade chocolate. Products include Chocolate Bars, Caramels, Confections, Specialty, and Gift Confections. The products are absolutely 100% organic without any synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers and are not exposed to industrial solvents or food additives. The suppliers of the cocoa bean is constantly changing, Theo works with farmer groups and grower cooperative throughout the world. Currently the beans come primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Peru. The company makes sure that the process from which the beans turn into chocolate involves completely ethical behavior where all parties involved are treated
Theo Chocolates hopes to provide for its employees a stimulating work environment, opportunities for personal growth, and job satisfaction. Transparency is at the heart of the company’s values. They believe that being open to all who want to know about the company leads to trusting relationships with customers and suppliers. If you’re not open about your business it makes people think you have something to hide and that is something that can turn customers away from their product. Theo Chocolate is grateful for the talented team members, which is always an important practice within a business. It means that the company values their employees and wants to treat them the way they deserve to be treated. If employees know that they are truly valued they will be motivated to work extremely hard to make their company succeed which is what a company wants of its employees. Their policies and practices may change over time but Theo Chocolate remains to have core values intact which include being committed to enriching the lives of farmers, suppliers, shareholders, partners and employees. The company has developed the handbook to help their employees understand general expectations and benefits of working with them and also to answer any questions people may have. This is very important as it so that potential and current employees know what they’re getting into and there are standards that are set so that employees are held accountable for their