Overview of the organization of Wal-Mart Essay Example for Free

Overview of the organization of Wal-Mart EssayToday, one of the most common places known to everyone (Except genus Paris Hilton) is Wal-Mart. Last year, Wal-Mart had revenues of $191 billion and has 1,283,000 employees, as of 2002. Wal-Mart is the largest retail store in the United States, and is larger than any other retail chain in the world. Currently Wal-Mart operates over 4,150 retail facilities globally. According to the Fortune 500 index of the wealthiest and most powerful corporations in the world, Wal-Mart holds the number one spot, rank by its total sales. The company is ranked as the second most admired company in the world by Fortune (www.fortune.com). With all these numbers, you would think they had a long drawn come in plan with goals as long as their success, but when Sam Walton created Wal-Mart in 1962, he decl bed that three policy goals would define his business respect for the individual, receipts to customers, and striving for excellence (www.walmart.com) . Three very short, but successful goals, which father been working since.As I researched goals and planning, Wal-Marts goals are not the standard goals that I found. In the textbook there is information concerning characteristics of goals.Characteristics of Well-Designed Goals1) create verbally in terms of outcomes rather than actions.2) Measurable and quantifiable.3) Clear as to a time frame.4) Challenging yet attainable.5) Written down.6) Communicated to all necessary organizational members.Management (Page 166 Para. 1)As we redirect to Wal-Marts goals, we can see that they would not be defined as well designed. Not many another(prenominal) of the six characteristics would fit Sam Waltons goals.1) Respect for the individual This could not be interpreted for outcomes rather than actions nor is it measurable and quantifiable. It contains no time frame and I hardly consider respect as a challenge. However the goals were written and have been communicated to all employees. When it comes to the respect from Wal-Mart stores many individuals feel Sam Walton has lost his sight. I researched what others had to say around the goals. Everyone says the store really got bad after Sam died, one individual explains. http//members.aol.com/walmopboy/abuse/strl.htm (Look Before You Leap)The site contains articles customers and employees have posted about the treatment they have received at various Wal-Mart stores.2) Service to customers Once again this fits only the last two characteristics explained. It is written and has been communicated.3) Striving for excellence This, compared to the other two fits the characteristics best. It could be considered for outcomes rather than action, and could be considered challenging. It is not measurable and quantifiable, nor clear as to a time frame. However, it is once again written down and communicated to the employees.When I researched how well these goals were communicated to the employees, I found that they are printed on t he hiring paperwork. Once the paperwork is complete the employees do not see or receive the goals. Therefore, I do not feel the goals are communicated effectively among the employees and organization. In order for the goals to be hitd, I feel the employees must be aware of Sam Waltons sight.I believe the first step to achieve these goals effectively would be to instill them within the employees. They should be explained clearly and constantly. They should to a fault be printed, in clear sight. This would help toremind employees and show customers their attitudes. I also feel that the goals should have a clear time frame and measurable. For example In one year, cut complaints to less than 20 per store. There should be many way to ensure the goals are being reached. By setting time frames and a measurable form the store can see how well or terrible they are doing.Resources1) Wal-Mart Homepagehttp//www.walmart.com/Accessed 18 July 20042) Fortunehttp//www.fortune.com/fortune/Accessed 18 July 20043) Wal-Mart Horror Stories Archiveshttp//members.aol.com/walmopboy/abuse/strl.htmAccessed 19 July 20044) Robbins, Coulter (2005) Management Eighth Editionamphetamine Saddle River, NJ Pearson Custom Publishing