Why Wal-Mart Failed in Germany
Please discuss your thoughts and ideas about the opening case, "Why did Walmart Fail in Germany?”
I feel that Walmart should of done their research before sending Americans to Germany and thinking that things could adapt to the American way. The American leader should of saw the signs before Walmart failed. In order to make it more successful in Germany Walmart should have adapted to their ways first. What contributed to Wal-Mart CEO Rob Tairk’s failure to successfully lead Wal-Mart’s German operations?
Ceo Rob Tairk’s failure to successfully lead Walmart was not caring to learn the German language and culture, which are both very important. Without knowing their language complications happen for example, the language barrier leads to miscommunications.
Do you think Wal-Mart should have appointed a German citizen to run the stores in Germany? What challenges might a German leader have faced?
Yes, I feel that if an American citizen didn’t want to take on the challenge and take the time to learn about the German culture and language, then a German citizen should have been trained on how to make Walmart successful in Germany. I feel that a German citizen could have managed things better because he/she would know the language and culture. Since the Germans didn’t like to be greeted at the doors or when checkout clerks smiled at the costumers, maybe a German citizen would find other ways to keep the costumers happy.
Why did Wal-Mart have such a difficult time connecting with consumers in Germany? What could Wal-Mart have done to better meet the needs of German consumers?
Walmart had such a difficult time connecting with consumers because they followed the American way in Germany. As we see from the reading German culture and American culture are totally different. Walmart should of done their homework and researched better before jumping in right away and this could of avoided failing.
I feel that Walmart should of done their research before sending Americans to Germany and thinking that things could adapt to the American way. The American leader should of saw the signs before Walmart failed. In order to make it more successful in Germany Walmart should have adapted to their ways first. What contributed to Wal-Mart CEO Rob Tairk’s failure to successfully lead Wal-Mart’s German operations?
Ceo Rob Tairk’s failure to successfully lead Walmart was not caring to learn the German language and culture, which are both very important. Without knowing their language complications happen for example, the language barrier leads to miscommunications.
Do you think Wal-Mart should have appointed a German citizen to run the stores in Germany? What challenges might a German leader have faced?
Yes, I feel that if an American citizen didn’t want to take on the challenge and take the time to learn about the German culture and language, then a German citizen should have been trained on how to make Walmart successful in Germany. I feel that a German citizen could have managed things better because he/she would know the language and culture. Since the Germans didn’t like to be greeted at the doors or when checkout clerks smiled at the costumers, maybe a German citizen would find other ways to keep the costumers happy.
Why did Wal-Mart have such a difficult time connecting with consumers in Germany? What could Wal-Mart have done to better meet the needs of German consumers?
Walmart had such a difficult time connecting with consumers because they followed the American way in Germany. As we see from the reading German culture and American culture are totally different. Walmart should of done their homework and researched better before jumping in right away and this could of avoided failing.