There is an array of key components and factors involved in making an organization a successful business. One of those elements consists on evaluating employee’s performance; this sole component is critical in determining how effective is the organization’s productivity and which are the necessary steps to ensure proper functioning. “The performance appraisal may be one of the few times during the year where an employee and the reviewer, typically the employee's supervisor, can sit down and have a lengthy face-to-face discussion about all aspects of the job” (Joseph, 2016). Employees’ performance assessment serves as an instrument to gather important information as to which areas of the job description are being performed according to standards …show more content…
Periodicity in this process is vital; this ensures that personnel issues, productivity and mission are evaluated in a consistent and timely manner. The most important resource of a company is its human resource, therefore ethical decisions as to the way this resource is managed, will ultimately determine if the company will have a long lasting success in the industry.
Topic/ Issue Identification In order to remain as one of the most competitive organizations in the retailer world, Walmart has to evaluate its workforce performance on regular basis in order to make sure they are performing at the required level. Ignoring or diminishing the importance of performance management can prevent employees and the organization itself, from growing and advancing. It is said that the lack of frequent job reviews and evaluations among Walmart’ employees is affecting the organization overall performance. This week’s case study presents several issues regarding the way they company approaches these appraisals. The purpose of this analysis is to address this problem and suggest a better approach for Walmart
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Performance management issues can be fixed by maintaining close supervision, setting high standards, but also focusing on developing employee skills needed to reach them. A good manager is the one who helps their employees to identify and to focus on their most important objectives, goals, and desired outcomes; is the one who identifies the strong abilities in the individual, and shows a clear path to follow. Companies’ ethical focus, -and Walmart is not the exception- should be not only reviewing employee’s performance, but helping them to grow at all levels, creating an environment that energizes and motivates human beings and
Analyzing Wal-Mart's annual report provides a positive outlook on Wal-Mart's financial health. Given the specific ratios and its comparison to other companies in the same industry, Wal-Mart is leading and more than likely continue its dominance. Though Wal-Mart did not lead in all numbers, its leadership and strong presence of the market cements the ongoing success. The review of the current ratio, quick ratio, inventory turnover ratio, debt ratio, net profit margin ratio, ROI, ROE, and P/E ratio all indicate an upbeat future for the company. The current ratio, which is defined as current assets divided by current liabilities, is a measure of how much liabilities a company has compared to its assets. Wal-Mart in the year of 2007 had a current ratio of .90, and as of January 2008 it had a current ratio of .81. The quick ratio, which is defined as current assets minus inventory divided by current liabilities, is a measure of a company's ability pay short term obligations. Wal-Mart in the year of 2007 had a quick ratio of .25, and as of January 2008 it had a ratio of .21. Both the current ratio and quick ratio are a measure of liquidity. Wal-Mart is not as liquid as its competitors such as Costco or Family Dollar Stores Inc. I believe the reason why Wal-Mart is not too liquid is because they are heavily investing their profits for expansion and growth. Management claims in their financial report that holding their liquid reserves in other currencies have helped Wal-Mart hedge against inflationary pressures of the US dollar. The next ratio to look at is the inventory ratio which is defined as the cost of sales divided by average inventory. In the year of 2007, Wal-Mart’s inventory ratio was 7.68, and as of January 2008 it was 7.96. Wal-Mart has a lot of sales therefore it doesn’t have too much a problem of holding too much inventory. Its competitors have similar ratios though they don’t have as much sales as Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart’s ability to sell at lower prices for same quality, gives them the edge against its competition. As of the year 2007, Wal-Mart had a debt ratio of .58, and as of January 2008, it had a debt ratio of .59. The debt ratio is calculated by dividing the total debt by its total assets. Wal-Mart has a lot more assets than it does debt so Wal-Mart is not overleveraged.
Since January 31, 2004, the investment banker for Wal-Mart has been Moody's investor services. Wal-Mart plans to refinance for their long term dept with Mood's Investor Services and also a few other investment banking for other corporate purposes that are not mentioned. Wal-Mart also plans to bowwow 3.3 billion dollars and an additional 1.1 billion for commercial paper By January 31, 2004 the, Wal-Mart had already established a 5.1 billion dollar lines of credits from 77 different banking industries and investment and used up approximately 145 million in the production of commercial paper. During the same time period Wal-Mart had 6 billion dollar debt of securities under a shelf registration regulation which derived from the SEC. Wal-Mart sold 1.25 billion in notes and maturity. The notes bear an interest of 4.1.25 % and mature by February 2011. The total quantity of notes allowed to be sold to is up to 4 billion.
Wal-Mart initially began its operations in 1945, when Sam Walton leased a ‘Ben Franklin’ franchise variety store in Newport, Arkansas. After relocating to Rogers, Arkansas in the early 1950s, Sam Walton’s ‘Ben Franklin’ became ‘Walton’s 5 & 10’. By 1962, Walton found himself the chain owner of 11 different Walton’s stores across Arkansas. He then decided to rename the chain ‘Wal-Mart’, after himself. On October 31, 1969, after further expansion across the state, the chain was incorporated as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Three years later, Wal-Mart was approved and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
Wal-Mart’s competitive environment is quite unique. Although Wal-Mart’s primary competition comes from general merchandise retailers, warehouse clubs and supermarket retailers also present competitive pressure. The discount retail industry is substantial in size and is constantly experiencing growth and change. The top competitors compete both nationally and internationally. There is extensive competition on pricing, location, store size, layout and environment, merchandise mix, technology and innovation, and overall image. The market is definitely characterized by economies of scale. Top retailers vertically integrate many functions, such as purchasing, manufacturing, advertising, and shipping. Large scale functions such as these give the top competitors a significant cost advantage over small-scale competition.
The performance assessment and appraisal forms are crucial within the performance management system (Aguinis, 2014). However, the appraisal form within the case study provided is designed for the supervisor’s use thus missing one vital factor throughout the entire process, employee participation. Thus, questioning the validity and reliability of the process. This is especially concerning as the bottom 10 per cent of employees are being fired and the top 20 per cent are being rewarded with $5,000.00 based on what their supervisor records on the form without consultation with employees. Thus, supervisors may not provide accurate scores as they do not have to justify their responses (Aguinis,
Investment in training will be able to improve Walmart’s financial position. Training can bring resolution to reduced performance issues by clarifying the particulars of the job. This will diminish doubling of efforts in the workplace, the period spent fixing slipups and the problem solving required to right bad performances. Enhanced performance from management training can lessen employee turnover, decrease repair expenses by reducing equipment failures and end in smaller amounts of customer grievances. Better performance from employees will naturally create little need for supervision and bring improved
Wal-Mart maintains aggressively, a distinct and consistent corporate culture through out its operations. The issue is that local managers and supervisors are given unguided discretion on the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of employees (Hart, 2006). These individual managers bring with them their own beliefs, biases, stereotypes, and assumpt...
Performance management is the awareness of every individual having an invested interested in the firm or company they work for, after all, it takes more than machines and software to run a firm, it takes people (Nassar, 2007). In addition, it is people that generate 84% of the effergy; furthermore, it is the power that supports the machines that can run 24 hours a day without tiring or the computer that accounts for a multitude of application that function with precision (Nassar, 2007). In this discussion, we will look three important points about Walgreens Boots Alliance/Rite Aid (Walgreens Boots Alliance,2018) from an empirical position as follows; first, a discussion about training for employees, secondly, a look at three different teams I work with, and thirdly, the support the team receives (Nassar,
However, as one of the largest retailers, Wal-Mart really needs to adjust its management assumption, treating its employees respectably and creating a positive work environment, which is essential for Wal-Mart’s on-going success. Managers should nurture their employees, increase their job satisfaction and pass on positive attitudes and passion within the work environment. This should be true even among employees who are doing low level jobs.
The financial performance of Wal-Mart continues to be strong. It delivered another record year in 2008 as total net sales increased 8.6 percent to $375 billion. Yet, earnings growth rates and same store sales have slowed. And, the company faces a number of challenges to its operating procedures, reputation and growth prospects. Given the company’s stated objectives of “growing operating income faster than sales” and increasing shareholder value, the strategies we recommend will directly affect the company’s ability to overcome present challenges and meet these primary financial objectives.
Performance appraisal is perceived by most as a tool to reward or penalize employees for their good or bad work respectively by the end of a year. This notion is a challenge in itself to deal with. The whole exercise becomes dull for both supervisors and their subordinates and they tend to look at it as an additional responsibility which they have to finish. In the end, there is little or no value addition for either the employee or the organization. There are, however, better ways of looking at and conducting performance appraisals. It can give much needed feedback to both performers and laggards to improve upon and if done properly can even boost their motivation. More importantly, they provide a chance to employees to have a say in their goal setting and thus aligning it with the departmental and organizational goals. Also, the process itself has a value in team making.
While the life of a manager might seem easy, the reality behind a manager who is successful in performance and efficiency shows that many people would think twice upon that idea. Throughout the decades, the role of a manager has changed drastically. With the Classical and Neo-Classical Movements, the specific requirements of a manager have been debated and explored to see which the best for an organization is. Managers need to keep the organization efficient and productive through delegation and specialized training while also making sure their employees’ human needs have been solved. With all of the aforementioned reasons and evidence being accounted for, it is clear that manager’s decisions have to be both helpful for the company and also cannot dehumanize their employees.
...arket, they still attempt to improve their performance in other areas, by contributing to charity and hence improving their local reputation, however they have very low customer and employee satisfaction. These lowered performance indicators stem from low employee motivation. It would be very beneficial for Walmart to increase these performance factors as the small cost of improving employee’s conditions and motivation would be balanced by not having to re-hire 70% of their work force every year.
...organizational annual pay and grading reviews, Performance appraisals generally review each individual's performance against objectives and standards for the trading year, agreed at the previous appraisal meeting. Performance appraisals are also essential for career and succession planning - for individuals, crucial jobs, and for the organization as a whole. Performance appraisals are important for staff motivation, attitude and behavior development, communicating and aligning individual and organizational aims, and fostering positive relationships between management and staff. Performance appraisals provide a formal, recorded, regular review of an individual's performance, and a plan for future development.
There are several reasons organizations initiate performance evaluations, however the standard purpose for performance evaluations is to discuss performance expectations; not only from the employers perspective but to engage in a formal collaboration where the employee and the manager are both able to provide feedback in a formal discourse. There are many different processes an organization should follow when developing its performance evaluation tool; in addition essential characteristics that must accompany an effective performance appraisal process. I will discuss in detail the intent of a performance evaluation, the process an organization should follow in using its performance evaluation tool, along with the characteristics of an effective