Value_Alignment_with_Kudler_Foods

Value Alignment with Kudler Foods Name withheld MGT/521 May 2, 2011 Bob Armbrust, B.S., MBA Value Alignment with Kudler Foods According to my Ethics Awareness Inventory, I tend to base my ethical perspective on an individual’s duty or obligations to do what is morally right. In judging whether a person’s actions are ethical, I look to the intent behind their actions, rather than focus on results. From my perspective, ethical principles must be: (a) appropriate under any circumstances; (b) respectful of human dignity; and (c) committed to promoting individual freedom and autonomy. Human beings must never be treated simply as “means” to the accomplishment of some defined “end.” The end does not justify the means. In my ethical style, I believe that human beings have intrinsic value and the right to individual respect. I believe that fostering personal growth takes precedence over achieving efficiency through organizational and social structures that tend to “dehumanize” ethical decision making. Moral decisions must reflect the free choice of individuals if we ever expect to hold them personally responsible (The Williams Institute, UOPX). Kudler Fine Foods Kudler Fine Foods is a small business established in 1998 to fulfill Kathy Kudler’s vision of establishing her own gourmet food store. Kathy had a passion for gourmet foods but could not find the kind of selection of fine wine, cheese, produce, and meat that she was looking for. She valued a one-stop shopping experience for people with a variety and reasonable pricing. Alignment The ethical traits described above align my values with Kudler’s Fine Foods in many ways. Hardworking and commitment are the basis for the ethical behavior I portray and at times this may cause me to believe that fostering personal growth takes precedence over achieving efficiency like Kathy Kudler does currently. However, I believe that the ethical style I emulate is that of mentoring and trusting and therefore, when I bring on employee’s I allow them to be successful and celebrate that success. I believe that I would first work on hiring appropriate, trustworthy, and competent management staff that would allow me to manage at a higher, strategic level instead of micromanaging, or performing all the tasks. With competent management, the marketing plan of the company could be developed and implemented and successful expansion would follow with maintaining appropriate oversight from a higher level. Providing excellent customer service is very important to me and I am guided by a desire to be in accord with established standards of right and wrong that leads me to expect great customer service from all employees. Hiring specialists who advise and assist clients with their culinary needs is imperative. Customers would continue to expect and receive superior customer service with a high quality product. With extraordinary management working collaboratively, the task of great customer service and high quality product would be delivered. Also with the qualified management staff, I would be able to as the owner pay attention to the finances in a closer manner for successful outcomes. With my tendency to keep standards universal and my commitment to keeping my moral obligations and duties, I would hesitate to expand the stores until there is a little more financial security and consistency. Instead, I would focus on developing and growing the current store until it is at peak performance. This would allow the owner and managers to keep their focus and not become frustrated. Again, based on my ethical principles, I believe this is indeed the right thing to do. Inventory would be reviewed to make sure we are offering the best food at the best price and not selling product which rarely turns over. We would market to our customers the concept of personal orders for unusual products and if necessary we would deliver upon arrival to the customer. Because we do not have multiple stores, customer service would be a focus. Catering With the store well organized and controlled, the option of branching into the catering side of business could be approached. This again would increase customer service and loyalty and would allow the management staff the freedom to plan and organize this side of the business. With a growing store and extraordinary food, obviously, this would be a natural progression. To encourage additional growth, I would work with marketing to approach the idea of also expanding the current store to include an outside and inside eating café for customers to come enjoy coffee and scones in the morning and gourmet lunch in the afternoon. Hiring a chef to plan and create a simple yet delicious menu would draw a loyal customer base. Depending on how the catering and café develop on the business side, there could be many expansion options for bakery and desserts. Again, I believe the right thing to do is grow and expand the current store without stretching too far outside the limits of the business. Overall Management Owning and managing a business takes an abundance of time and effort. Awareness of your values and commitments allows the business to maintain consistency and alignment. Because of my obligation-based perspectives, I believe it is my duty to create this wonderful store for people to enjoy and work in. If you have the confidence to set your standards through your mission, vision, and values and set the example as an employer who is morally right, then I believe customers will come to you and people will want to work for and with you. This type of employer is consistent, committed, dependable, and respectful and will draw they type of people you want to have working for you. As my ethics awareness profile states, I believe I owe it to the community to create a unique store such as Kudler Fine Foods and employees have a right to experience a great workplace where your employer cares about you and empowers you to be creative and successful. Employee’s I believe want to work for an employer who is a moral compass, allows equal opportunity for all, is respectful of their employees and have clear rules and principles to follow. Based upon my ethical profile, I would be able to create this type of business and environment for customers and employees. References Kudler Fine Foods Strategic Plan, University of Phoenix. The Williams Institute, University of Phoenix.