Paper Assignment
The purpose of this project is for you to demonstrate an understanding about how businesses motivate employees.
Outcomes Met With This Project:
• identify the critical business functions and how they interact in order to position the organization to be effective in the current business environment
• explain the importance of the integration of individuals and systems to organizational effectiveness
Skill Building:
You are also completing this project to help you develop the skills of critical thinking, writing and developing a personal brand. Writing is a critical skill because in business it is important to convey information clearly and concisely and to develop a personal brand. Developing a personal brand is important because it is the ongoing process of establishing an image or impression in the minds of others especially those in positions above you. Having a strong personal brand can lead to opportunities that include promotions.
Case Scenario:
Read the following case scenario and answer the questions that follow:
Wegmans Food Market, Inc. is a family-owned business started in 1916 in Rochester, New York by Walter and John Wegman. Wegmans is a regional supermarket chain with major stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Maryland. With a total of 127 locations, Wegmans employs approximately 48,000 employees and has annual sales of $8.7 billion. The company is led by Colleen Wegman, president and CEO, Danny Wegman, chairman, and Nicole Wegman, senior vice-president.
Wegmans is a mission-driven, values-based company. Its mission statement is "Helping families live healthier, better lives through food. Our commitment to you is simple: Every Day You Get Our Best. Our customers tell us they choose Wegmans for the helpful people in our stores, help with delicious meals from our chefs, and the freshest ingredients possible." Company values are important to Wegmans. Values focus on the well-being and success of every person with high standards as a way of life. Wegmans strives to make a difference in every community it serves, and employees are respected and listened to, and empowered to make decisions that improve their work and benefit customers and the company.
Company benefits include 86% company-paid health coverage for full-time employees in a single coverage PPO plan, 100% company-paid health coverage for full-time employee dependents, 86% company-paid health coverage for part-time employees, an average salary of approximately $37,000 plus cash compensation for Store full-time customer service employees and an average of $68,500 salary plus cash compensation for Store department managers. In addition, employees who work at least 30 hours a week are eligible to receive health insurance.
Wegmans is a place that people want to work. Ninety-seven percent of employees stated they feel good about the ways they contribute to the community, 96% of employees indicated the facilities contribute to a good working environment, 95% of employees stated that they are given the resources and equipment to do their jobs, 94% of employees stated management is honest and ethical in its business practices, and 94% employees stated they were proud to tell others that they work at Wegmans. In addition, employees rating for great challenges was 97%, great atmosphere was 97%, great rewards was 96%, great pride was 97%, great communication was 97% and great bosses was 96%.
In operating the business, the Wegman family has built a strong family culture by living the stated values and putting its people first through offering career development, pay, benefits, and support that goes beyond industry averages. Overall, employees love what they do to create an exciting work environment that builds trusting relationships and feels like family. Employees are empowered to invest in programs such as Open Door Days, Huddles, and focus groups that help to put employees' ideas into action and drive process improvement.
Wegmans has implemented flexible scheduling as a way to create work/life balance and promotes learning opportunities that allow employees to grow within the company. More than $50,000 is invested each year in the training and development of employees. The investment offers employees access to department universities, workshops, online learning, on-the-job learning, cooking classes, food rallies, and talent development programs such as internships, management trainee and leadership development programs.
Wegmans offers its employees additional benefits such as community discounts, movies, theme parks, and gym memberships. Store employees have access to digital coupons for employee-only offers and in-store beverage discounts. Employees with newborns are provided the benefit of three months of discounts, prepared food discounts and free wipes and diapers.
Employees have access to wellness programs such as Weight Watchers, ‘get moving' events, and food/nutritional programs as well as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and financial services such as legal assistance and an annual certified financial planning consultation. Employees also have access to scholarship programs and internships, and Wegmans supplements culinary and hospitality program.
Furthermore, employees raise millions of dollars a year participating in company-sponsored programs for hunger relief and food distribution from Wegmans stores to local food banks. The efforts of Wegmans and its employees lead the industry in sustainability efforts.
Instructions:
You will use the following steps to complete this project. Make sure to complete each step to ensure the highest possible grade.
Step 1: Course Material
For this project, you are required to use the case scenario facts and the course material. External sources are not permitted. You are not researching on the Internet or using resources from outside the course. You are expected to answer the requirements identified below showing the connection between the case scenario facts and the course material. Using course material goes beyond defining terms and are used to explain the 'why and how' of a situation. Avoid merely making statements but close the loop of the discussion by explaining how something happens or why something happens, which focuses on importance and impact. In closing the loop, you will demonstrate the ability to think clearly and rationally showing an understanding of the logical connections between the ideas presented in a case scenario, the course material and the question(s) being asked. Using one or two in-text citations from the course material throughout the entire paper will not earn many points on an assignment. The use of a variety of course material is expected consistently supporting what is presented. The support must be relevant and applicable to the topic being discussed. Points are not earned for mentioning a term or concept but by clearly and thoroughly explaining or discussing the question at hand.
NOTE: If external sources are used, what is presented will not count and a penalty for following instruction will apply.
Step 2: Create Headings
You will use the following headings for this project. Make sure that each heading is in place and use the headings as a guide to write each section of the project.
• Introduction
• Need Based Theories Versus Process-Based Theories
• Need-Based Theory
• Process-Based Theory
• Job Design and Job Characteristic Theory
• Motivational Strategies
• Conclusion
Step 3: Write an Introduction paragraph
The Introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of the paper and will be used to describe to the reader the intent of the paper explaining the main points covered in the paper. This intent should be understood prior to reading the remainder of the paper so the reader knows exactly what is being covered in the paper.
You may want to write the introduction last to ensure all of the main points are covered.
Step 4: Motivational Theories
You learned about different motivational theories from the course material and how each is applied in the workplace. Using the course material to support your ideas and reasoning:
• Explain the difference between need-based theory of motivation and process-based theory of motivation.
• Select one need-based theory. Explain how Wegmans motivates its employees using this theory. Make sure the explanation of the theory is thorough. Make sure to capture as many facts from the case scenario that are applicable to this theory.
• Select one process-based theory. Explain how Wegmans motivates its employees using this theory. Make sure the explanation of the theory is thorough. Make sure to capture as many facts from the case scenario that are applicable to this theory.
• Explain how Wegmans uses job design and job characteristics theory to motivate employees. Make sure the explanation of the theory is thorough. Make sure to capture as many facts from the case scenario that are applicable to this theory.
Step 5: Motivational Strategies
• Explain how and why Wegmans uses orientation, training programs and other programs. Explain thoroughly using both the case scenario facts and the course material.
Step 6: Conclusion
Write a concluding paragraph that is brief and summarizes the main points. Provide specific information related to the major topics discussed in the paper.
Step 7: Review the Paper
Read the paper to ensure all required elements are present. In conjunction with these instructions, use the grading rubric to ensure that you gain the most points possible for this assignment.
Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues, and third person writing.
• Read the paper aloud as a first measure;
• Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a second measure;
• Consider submitting the paper to the Effective Writing Center (EWC). The EWC will provide 4-6 areas that may need improvement.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.