Whole Foods Core Values
Do Whole Foods Market’s core values as presented in case Exhibit 3 really matter? Are they “real” or just cosmetic window dressing? What evidence can you cite to support your answer? Have Whole Foods’ core values contributed to the company’s success? Why or why not?
Whole Food Markets slogan and core values absolutely contribute to their continued success. In 1997 they developed the slogan “Whole foods, Whole people, Whole Planet”. This slogan also symbolizes their mission to providing the health and well-being of customers, team members, and the planet. Their first core value is to sell the highest quality natural and organic products available. With a passion for food and high quality standards they give customers the organic products they are looking for to keep the planet and their own health. Secondly they pride themselves on customer satisfaction. With extraordinary customer service and meaningful value they offer a great shopping experience with competitive value. Other values include keeping team members happy, caring for the communities and environment, creating win-win partnerships with suppliers, and promoting the health of our stakeholders through healthy eating education. ("Our core values," ) Looking at Whole Foods store growth from 1997 when they created their values they opened over 200 stores (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble & Strickland, 2011) . This growth alone shows that their values have helped to create a profitable business. The years prior to the core values they were only adding less then 10 stores a year. Over the past 5 years you can see the continued growth in sales, growing almost double of what they were in 2005 (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble & Strickland, 2011). Core values help to shape your company's culture and influence overall behavior. With out these businesses would not have an outlined guide to their company culture. The core values help to establish how team members are reacting to customers and their inquires. By
Whole Food Markets slogan and core values absolutely contribute to their continued success. In 1997 they developed the slogan “Whole foods, Whole people, Whole Planet”. This slogan also symbolizes their mission to providing the health and well-being of customers, team members, and the planet. Their first core value is to sell the highest quality natural and organic products available. With a passion for food and high quality standards they give customers the organic products they are looking for to keep the planet and their own health. Secondly they pride themselves on customer satisfaction. With extraordinary customer service and meaningful value they offer a great shopping experience with competitive value. Other values include keeping team members happy, caring for the communities and environment, creating win-win partnerships with suppliers, and promoting the health of our stakeholders through healthy eating education. ("Our core values," ) Looking at Whole Foods store growth from 1997 when they created their values they opened over 200 stores (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble & Strickland, 2011) . This growth alone shows that their values have helped to create a profitable business. The years prior to the core values they were only adding less then 10 stores a year. Over the past 5 years you can see the continued growth in sales, growing almost double of what they were in 2005 (Thompson, Peteraf, Gamble & Strickland, 2011). Core values help to shape your company's culture and influence overall behavior. With out these businesses would not have an outlined guide to their company culture. The core values help to establish how team members are reacting to customers and their inquires. By