Walmart Management
Management Paper on Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores: Managing Diverse Organizations
By
Angela L. Farrish
Webster University
Ms. Amy Thenor
December 2011
Wal-Mart In 1970, Sam Walton the founder of Wal-Mart implemented an extremely significant warehouse distribution system. This new system evolved into Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and in that same year the company was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The company began to expand extremely rapidly throughout the 70’s. During this period Wal-Mart started incorporating pharmacies and auto service centers into its stores which incited even more growth. By 1979, there were 276 Wal-Mart stores in 11 states. During the early 1980’s Wal-Mart’s sales exceeded one-billion dollars. Sam Walton soon began to buy out competitors and incorporate his low cost/high volume concept into these newly purchased companies. In 1987, Sam Walton started what we currently identify as the Wal-Mart Superstore. These superstores consist of a grocery store, a general merchandise market, and service outlets such as restaurants, banks, vision centers and videotape rentals for a one stop shopping experience.
EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES
Peterson, points out in “Employee Retention: The Secrets Behind Wal-Marts Successful Hiring Policies” that a major concern of any corporation is employee retention. Motivated employees are seen as a competitive advantage in today’s society. One of a manager’s main tasks in any organization is to motivate the employees to make them more efficient and effective. Therefore, making motivation one of the most important concepts in good management practices. Wal-Mart has employed numerous motivational methods to increase motivation in their employees. These motivational factors include; career opportunities, incentive/bonus plans, educational programs, health benefits, profit sharing, 401K, and stock options. Wal-Mart solicits feedback from all their
Wal-Mart Stores: Managing Diverse Organizations
By
Angela L. Farrish
Webster University
Ms. Amy Thenor
December 2011
Wal-Mart In 1970, Sam Walton the founder of Wal-Mart implemented an extremely significant warehouse distribution system. This new system evolved into Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and in that same year the company was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. The company began to expand extremely rapidly throughout the 70’s. During this period Wal-Mart started incorporating pharmacies and auto service centers into its stores which incited even more growth. By 1979, there were 276 Wal-Mart stores in 11 states. During the early 1980’s Wal-Mart’s sales exceeded one-billion dollars. Sam Walton soon began to buy out competitors and incorporate his low cost/high volume concept into these newly purchased companies. In 1987, Sam Walton started what we currently identify as the Wal-Mart Superstore. These superstores consist of a grocery store, a general merchandise market, and service outlets such as restaurants, banks, vision centers and videotape rentals for a one stop shopping experience.
EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES
Peterson, points out in “Employee Retention: The Secrets Behind Wal-Marts Successful Hiring Policies” that a major concern of any corporation is employee retention. Motivated employees are seen as a competitive advantage in today’s society. One of a manager’s main tasks in any organization is to motivate the employees to make them more efficient and effective. Therefore, making motivation one of the most important concepts in good management practices. Wal-Mart has employed numerous motivational methods to increase motivation in their employees. These motivational factors include; career opportunities, incentive/bonus plans, educational programs, health benefits, profit sharing, 401K, and stock options. Wal-Mart solicits feedback from all their
References: 1. Giancola Franka “The Generation Gap: More Myth than Reality. HR Human Resource Planning. New York: 2006 Vol. 29 Is. 4 pg 2. Peterson Coleman Employee Retention: The Secrets Behind Wal-Mart’s Successful Hiring Policies. Human Resource Management, Spring 2005, Vol. 44 No. 1 3. Politt David “Diversity is more than observing the letter of the law. Human Resource Management International Digest Bradford 2005 Vol. 13, Is 4 pg. 37 4. Tip Sheet: Diversity is more than good PR PRNEWS Potomac: Jul 31, 2006. Vol.63 5. Wal-Mart. (November 21, 2004). Retrieved November 20-23, 2011 Available: www.walmart.com