Trader Joe's
The Organizational Behavior that makes Trader Joe’s Unique
August 29, 2013
Abstract
THE ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF FOOD RETAILER TRADER JOE’S IS UNIQUE IN MANY WAYS. FROM OWNER, JOE COULOMBE, TO A STORE CLERK, THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME VISION IN MIND- TO SET THEMSELVES APART FROM THE REST. NOT FALLING INTO STEREOTYPICAL FOOD CHAINS, TRADER JOE’S DOES BUSINESS THEIR WAY. THIS MAKES THEM PERFECT AT BEING THEM. FROM INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO JOB DESIGN, THEY ARE NOT YOUR STANDARD FOOD MARKET. THE SOCIAL CAPITAL IN WHICH MANAGEMENT IS CHOSEN, TO THE STORE’S ATMOSPHERE AND POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT FOR ALL EMPLOYEES ARE HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS. ADDED WITH IMPECCABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF TRADER JOE’S IS NOT ONLY UNIQUE, BUT QUITE LUCRATIVE. HOWEVER, NOT EVERY STORE IS A PERFECT WONDERLAND. GREENPEACE LAUNCHED A WEBSITE NAMED TRAITOR JOE’S FOR SELLING SEAFOOD THAT ARE OVERFISHED AND NEED TO BE CONSERVED. THIS CAUSED THE FOOD RETAILER TO TAKE SWIFT ACTION TO CORRECT THE DILEMMA, BY REMOVING THOSE ITEMS FROM THE SHELVES. THE FISCAL EFFECTS OF THIS ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED, HOWEVER THE ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN CORRECTED.
THE ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR THAT MAKES TRADER JOE’S UNIQUE Joe Coulombe, also known as “Trader Joe” came up with a theory of how to set his food market apart from competitors while vacationing in the Caribbean. To sell one of a kind specialty foods, cheaper in an inviting relaxed atmosphere. However, that is not the only unique quality that Trader Joe’s offers, the importance of human capital, selection of management, and job design and overall organizational behavior has proven to be effective. How does Trader Joe’s design jobs for increased job satisfaction and higher performance? By motivating employees, not only monetarily, but an organizational climate in which a stock boy has the potential and motivation to be a manager one day. Encouraging employees to try
August 29, 2013
Abstract
THE ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF FOOD RETAILER TRADER JOE’S IS UNIQUE IN MANY WAYS. FROM OWNER, JOE COULOMBE, TO A STORE CLERK, THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME VISION IN MIND- TO SET THEMSELVES APART FROM THE REST. NOT FALLING INTO STEREOTYPICAL FOOD CHAINS, TRADER JOE’S DOES BUSINESS THEIR WAY. THIS MAKES THEM PERFECT AT BEING THEM. FROM INTERVIEW QUESTIONS TO JOB DESIGN, THEY ARE NOT YOUR STANDARD FOOD MARKET. THE SOCIAL CAPITAL IN WHICH MANAGEMENT IS CHOSEN, TO THE STORE’S ATMOSPHERE AND POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT FOR ALL EMPLOYEES ARE HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS. ADDED WITH IMPECCABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF TRADER JOE’S IS NOT ONLY UNIQUE, BUT QUITE LUCRATIVE. HOWEVER, NOT EVERY STORE IS A PERFECT WONDERLAND. GREENPEACE LAUNCHED A WEBSITE NAMED TRAITOR JOE’S FOR SELLING SEAFOOD THAT ARE OVERFISHED AND NEED TO BE CONSERVED. THIS CAUSED THE FOOD RETAILER TO TAKE SWIFT ACTION TO CORRECT THE DILEMMA, BY REMOVING THOSE ITEMS FROM THE SHELVES. THE FISCAL EFFECTS OF THIS ACTION HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED, HOWEVER THE ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY HAS BEEN CORRECTED.
THE ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR THAT MAKES TRADER JOE’S UNIQUE Joe Coulombe, also known as “Trader Joe” came up with a theory of how to set his food market apart from competitors while vacationing in the Caribbean. To sell one of a kind specialty foods, cheaper in an inviting relaxed atmosphere. However, that is not the only unique quality that Trader Joe’s offers, the importance of human capital, selection of management, and job design and overall organizational behavior has proven to be effective. How does Trader Joe’s design jobs for increased job satisfaction and higher performance? By motivating employees, not only monetarily, but an organizational climate in which a stock boy has the potential and motivation to be a manager one day. Encouraging employees to try
References: Schermerhorn, J.R., Jr., Osborn, R. N., Uhl-Bien, M., & Hunt, J. G. (2012). Organizational behavior (12th ed.). NY: John Wiley& Sons. Lewis, L. (September 7, 2011). Fostering a Loyal Workforce at Trader Joe’s. Retrieved from http://www.workforce.com/articles/fostering-a-loyal-workforce-at-trader-joe-s