Business Operations Management Case Study: Whole Foods

1. Analyze effects of the democratic approach to store operation and hiring new associates on store performance. (Ch. 13)

The democratic approach has been very beneficial to Whole Foods and is probably one of the factors why the company has been so successful over the years and still has a competitive advantage above other company. Whole Foods stores are operated through teamwork and the overall goal of the company. The company values being inclusive and resolving conflicts peacefully within the company without a union. The employees who are hired are voted for employment by other associates and once hired go through extensive training making them very knowledgeable of the company’s products. Consumers in the store can feel and see the difference

in Whole Foods stores of teamwork compared to other stores.
2. Whole Foods now faces a significant amount of competition. How should it respond to the changes in the competitive landscape of its industry? What future challenges do you envision for Whole Foods market? (Ch. 14)

Whole Foods appears to be staying on top of its competition by continuing to expand into other areas in the world making the company accessible to a wider range of consumers, changing and or improving its products as the desires of consumers change and competitors try to imitate Whole Foods products allowing the company to maintain its competitive advantage. In addition Whole Foods continues to try to work to have a personal relationship with their employees which is very rare for companies in recent years. Whole Foods should continue to outsource to other industries and start collaborating with other business as an approach to advance. I envision that Whole Foods market will eventually be phased out or have to collaborate with another company in order to be a value to consumers due to the advancements of technology that perform the needs that companies like Whole Foods once performed.