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Whole Foods Corporation: Leadership Strategies

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Whole Foods Corporation: Leadership Strategies
Whole Foods Corporation

Marilyn Field

Abstract

One of the keys to organizational success is a company’s leadership ability to translate customer focused strategies into customer driven behaviors by the employees. At the center of Whole Foods’ organizational culture is an understanding of the importance in educating consumers about nutrition and its relationship to health and wellness. The success of a company to maintain an enduring foundation of competitive advantage is based on how the organization manages its human resources. Whole Foods’ leadership development strategy is one of a team-based production system whereby employees are extensively …show more content…
According to Huetlin (2007), Whole Foods is having an impact on the entire world. The article boasted that people not only visit the store for its health food options and customer friendly atmosphere, but find the experience to be entertaining (Huetlin). One shopper mentioned in Huetlin’s article equates the Whole Foods experience to shopping in paradise. California Lutheran University’s website posted an Educate Yourself on Globalization (2010) article that described Whole Foods as an excellent example of a company’s social responsibility toward developing countries. Whole Foods, as part of their mission, developed what is now known as the Whole Trade Guarantee. This globalization initiative strives to create sound practices toward environmentally friendly products and practices that promote support for the poverty stricken by donating one percent of the money from sales production to the Whole Planet Foundation. The Whole Trade Guarantee is a way of extending the companies core values that let customers know they are buying the best products for themselves, for the community, and for the world (Whole Food Markets.com, …show more content…
(2003). No preservatives no unions lots of dough. Fortune, 148(5), 127-130. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
California Lutheran University (2010). Educate yourself-Globalization. Retrieved October 23, 2010 from http://www.callutheran.edu/student_life/community_service_center/educate /EducateYourself-Globalization.php
Careers in Grocery.com (2010). Meat associate team leader. Retrieved October 23, 2010 from http://www.careersingrocery.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/jobsearchdetails/JobID/32579/Meat_Associate_Team_Leader_(Associate_Meat_Manager)__job.htm&utm_source=SimplyHired&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=SimplyHired
Fiorina, C., Bangle, C. Veatch, C., Baker. L. et al. (2003). Moving Mountains. Harvard Business Review, 81(1), 41-47. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
Fisher, A. (2008). Staying power. Fortune, 158(1), 142. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database.
Fresh Market.com (2010). The Fresh Market experience. Retrieved October 23, 2010 from http://www.thefreshmarket.com/
Fulton, D. (2009). Whole Foods health-care boycott gathers momentum. The Boston Phoenix. Retrieved October 23, 2010
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