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PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE MGMT
Case (20 Marks)
In August 2008, Wal-Mart Stores announced that its profit rose 17 percent in the second quarter and that it is raising its full-year forecast. In a challenging economy, the world's largest retailer benefited from low prices and its moves to cut costs. Wal-Mart's President and Chief Executive Lee Scott said that, "While inflation and higher fuel costs are pressuring suppliers, retailers and customers worldwide, we're confident that Wal-Mart is well positioned for this economy." Chief Financial Officer Torn Schoewe attributed the better second-quarter profits to tighter inventory controls, which led to fewer markdowns on merchandise. One of Wal-Mart's goals — which it successfully met — was keeping inventory growth at half the rate of its sales growth which it successfully met. In contrast, sales at department stores and specialty retailers were lagging behind. What is the key to such good results? Wal-Mart overhauled its strategy. Instead of announcing any price increases to cope with the tough economy, the company slashed its expansion plans. It refocused on lower prices, improved the mix of merchandise offered, cleaned up its stores and provided friendlier and faster customer service. But there is more to Wal-Mart's success over the years than just tighter inventory controls and lower prices. Wal-Mart is truly a great company. A strong organizational culture is the foundation for making a good company a great one. The secret to Wal-Mart's success has long been attributed to its strop culture. Analysts like Jim Collins believe that W al-Mart had the kind of 'cult-like' culture that is shared by all great companies. +Wal-Mart employees are referred to as `Walmartians' which is a sign of a unique culture shared by them. This culture is responsible for a company of this magnitude to be able to sustain its entrepreneurial spirit decade after decade. Since its early days, Wal-Mart achieved remarkable growth rates and was the first trillion dollar company in the world.)1n 1999, Wal-Mart became the largest private employer in the US with 1,140,000 Associates. But with amazing success also came criticism.&al-Mart was sued many times and even held the record for being sued the maximum at one time. Its practices and culture were held responsible for killing small local retailers. It was also criticized for gender-based discrimination, its overtime policies and using sweatshop products
Answer the following question.
Q1. What does the reference of Wal-Mart employees as `WalMartians’ indicate?
Q2. Discuss why Wal-Mart was criticized and often sued.
Q3. Give the reasons for great success of Wal-Mart, the retailer company.
Q4. Debate the importance of organizational culture in making the company great.
Case (20 Marks)
On July 28, 2009, a man walked up to the counter of a branch of Key Bank in Seattle, pushed a black bag across the counter, and ordered the teller to hand over money. Jim Nicholson (Nicholson), the 30-year-old bank teller who had worked for the bank for more than two years, stood up to the man and demanded to see the weapon. On July 30, 2009, an employee of Key Bank found himself fired from his job two days after he had prevented an attempted robbery at the bank by confronting the would-be-robber and overpowering him.
Answer the following question.
Q1 Nicholson was able to prevent the robbery and save the people in the bank from potential harm Do you think did Nicholson do the right thing in confronting the would-be bank robber?.
Q2. Did Key Bank do the right thing in firing Jim Nicholson? Would a warning or suspension have been better disciplinary action?
Case (20 Marks)
Mr.Ramachandran is the president of ABC Corporation Limited Recently, it was decided by Board of Directors that it would be profitable for the corporation to open its own Marketing Department. Mr.Ramachandran has been directed to pick up a person who he feels is capable of heading the department, and then putting this person in charge of getting the department on its feet. After considering a number of good men, Mr.Ramachandran has narrowed the field down to two possible choices: Ashok Marwaha and Pramod Kumar. Ashok Marwaha has a good track record with the company. He was hired eight years ago, and through the years he has shown a good deal of drive and initiative in all of his endeavours. Marwaha is an aggressive young man, and he had received the nickname of go-getter in his department. Although Marwaha seems to be more concerned at times with ends rather than means, he is very efficient and he is considered a good leader by those who work under him. As one worker stated, "although he can get rough with you at times, you always know where you stand with him, and when you have done a good job, he lets you know it," Marwaha is also credited with accepting full responsibility, in all cases, and making quick decisions when action is called for. Pramod Kumar has been with the company foe eleven years. He is well liked by all in his department, and his work is first rate, Pramod Kumar's leadership style differs from Marwaha's in that Pramod is not as aggressive and quick to act as Marwaha. Before Pramod makes a decision, he generally consults others who he feels can contribute further information on a given subject. This often includes those who work under him. Those who work under Pramod consider him a good leader, and state that the atmosphere of participation produced by Pramod really encourages their utmost individual output while on the job. This can be seen by the production increase which soon occurred when Pramod became the head of his work force.
Answer the following question.
Q1. Which man should Mr.Ramachandran choose to head the department? Why?
Q2. Explain the hierarcy of the ABC Corporation? Explain how the change effected with the changes in work profiles?
Case (20 Marks)
The case summarizes the career of Indian Cricketer Mohammad Shami. Shami was born in a remote village called Sahaspur, Uttar Pradesh. He developed a deep passion for fast blowing from his teenage days and dreamt of playing for the national team. Shami struggled for a year in clubs of Kolkata before getting selected in the Bengal Under-22 team. Sourav Ganguly, former captain of the Indian Cricket Team recognized his talent during net practice sessions and recommended him for the Bengal Ranji team in 2010. Shami was signed on by the Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2011 session of the Indian Premier League. In 2005, Tousif All (Ali) sent his 15-year-old son, Mohammad Shami (Shami), from Sahaspur, a small town in Uttar Pradesh, North India, to Kolkata in the hope of securing a better future for him in cricket. Ali, himself had been a fast bowler in his younger days in a village team. He saw the deep passion Shami had for cricket as a teenager. He had earlier taken him to Badruddin Siddique, a cricket coach in Moradabad, 22 km from the village. Shami bowled exceptionally well in the under-l9 trials but couldn't make it to the team. With Uttar Pradesh not having an organized club system for cricket, Shami had no choice but to leave his hometown to Kolkata.
Answer the following question.
Q1.Discuss the importance of patience, perseverance and passion in success.
Q2. Explain how clubs, state level and domestic matches help grooming of cricketers for the national cricket team.
Assignment Solutions, Case study Answer sheets
Project Report and Thesis - Contact
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ARAVIND – 09901366442 – 09902787224
