Developing_Good_Business_Sense

Developing Good Business Sense The three companies that I chose to observe were Barnes and Noble, a local Italian restaurant Casa De Pasta, and another local, yet large corporation, Wegmans Food Markets. I chose to do three different natured businesses so it would be easier to separate their specialties and examine the way they operate. While all three companies are well-known, they all function very differently with one important factor in common, the aptitude for their patrons needs and wants are notable especially in an economy where customer service seems to be scarce and nonexistent. Barnes and Noble is an extremely popular bookstore that carries thousands of titles. Over the course of the last few years, they have continued to rise above their competition, and become the largest book supplier to date. Their Operations and Material Management sector has developed an innovative IT system with flexible assembly that allows mass production at a lower cost. They continually upgrade their storefront to create a better shopping experience for its customers. All locations include a Starbucks Coffee along with couches and sofa chairs placed throughout the store so their clientele can feel relaxed and take as much time as they need during their shopping experience. They have stated that there are some customers who come in and spend hours on end prior to purchase. They thoroughly enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and calm environment. They also adopted new methods to allow for a more organized and controlled way to stock and ship thousands of their products they currently sell. “They use its materials management expertise to keep the books, CDs, and electronics in inventory that most appeal to customers. They take advantage of their vast amount of warehouses to store products. They also offer fast and free delivery when you order $25 or more of eligible items to cut delivery costs” (Jones, 2009). They rely on how quickly it can ship their books and other products to their customers. “To further speed up the delivery process, they outsource by using UPS” (Jones, 2009). The growth and popularity of the Internet has been a major source of revenue for them. “They are known to have the largest number of in-stock selection”(Jones, 2009) for quick, simple and secured ordering and delivery through the web. Whenever you go into one of their stores, there are always employees on hand, waiting to answer any question. Most locations come equipped with a center help desk, so if you are having problems location a specific title or description, they type the information in on their computer, and direct you where to find it or if it is currently available. The main costs that Barnes and Noble entail is to stay up to date with the products and services they offer. The reason they stand out from their competition is due to their ability to offer the largest selection at the touch of a button or at the fingertip of their customer. They constantly have to make sure the products they sell are readily available to their patrons and to continue restocking their inventory. They make sure to store extra supplies so they are on hand immediately which has the tendency to become very costly. Because of the business they produce and the revenue they retain, this contributes to every aspect of OMM. I personally believe the competitive edge they have over their opponents is the way they manage their business with their customers’ needs in mind. From the obtainable selection they offer to the overall experience you get from the moment you enter. Their café, employees and their customer service is a significant tribute to the success they experience. Casa De Pasta is a well-known, locally operated Italian restaurant in Downtown Historic Canandaigua. My family and I have been going there since we moved to this area a few years ago. We had heard about the quality of food and menu selection, but what keeps up going back is the way they run their business. Everything is made to order and brought out fresh. The owner purchases garden fresh produce and crop from local farms. Because this business is family owned and operated, they pride themselves on their “employees”. Their motto is “It is our goal to provide high-quality homemade Italian Cuisine prepared by skilled hands and presented with quality service”. The main OMM cost that this company has is due to the use of only the finest of ingredients. This could become a problem in the months that these products are in demand; within the winter season, it could be more difficult to obtain certain fruits and vegetables. However, they compare prices and quality to find the lowest possible costs that has the highest excellence for their customers. They are constantly busy which most likely makes up for the cost they encounter and spend on their ingredients and cuisines. While there are many restaurants in and around this area, I think this restaurant stands out not only for their food eminence, but for the way they make their patrons feel. Due to the small layout of the eatery, it is easier to spark conversation and make everyone feel comfortable and at home. Their staff remembers faces and do not hesitate to exchange conversation. While their prices are reasonable and the entrée’s are just the right portion size, it’s the atmosphere that keeps us coming back. The last company I chose is Wegman’s Food Market. In comparison to Tops, Super Wal-Mart, Albertson’s, price right, they stand out immeasurably. Wegman’s has always pride itself on having exceptional sales and service. They offer scholarship programs to their employees and the freshest food selection you can find. In order to input/output, they have many area farm connections to guarantee the freshest crops and produce with deliveries coming directly to each location. I would never think twice about going anywhere else for fruits and vegetables. There seems to be a limitless amount of employees working for them from management, to cashiers, to chefs, to helping hands (which assists customers with carrying groceries to their car) in order to reach the overall goal of an effortless and delighted customer experience. Wegmans has just recently lowered their prices to cater to their patrons. They offer charts to reflect the cost of their competition so the customer is able to see the difference. I think that Wegmans stands out from their competition for many reasons. They have built this business from the ground up and turned it into a small empire. They used to only have locations in upstate New York, but have recently started moving further down the East Coast with stores developing from Maine to Virginia. They not only offer the widest range of food of products, but each store now comes equipped with grazing stations, in-house chefs for different dinner ideas, an innovative professional bakery, florist, hibachi stations and so much more. They have grown to be far more than an average supermarket, anything the consumer wants, they find a way to get and do it with a smile. Every aspect of their company reflects the want to keep their customers happy and content which is why they have become one of the largest market chains and topped the fortune 500 list for over 20 years. I believe that any company who aspires to be successful and remain that way needs to keep their clients in mind at all. They are the ones who spend and produce revenue and keep companies in business. While all businesses large or small incur cost, I think the help of a friendly staff and memorable customer service will guarantee achievement and maintain profit. Works Cited Jones, Kevin (Personal Communication, November 12, 2009 ) Barnes and Noble employee