HR assignment on: Customer services and HR management strategies in Wal-mart
Introduction
About 200 million of customers are served through Walmart in one week in the ways as desired by them including retail outlets, on mobile devices and online. Walmart has set is operations under about 69 different banners and in 27 countries. Their sales alone reach up to $444 billion and have about 2.2 million associates around the world (Walmart, 2012). Some of the major implications by them prove that they have grown so large depending on the innovative thinking, leadership through service and commitment for the purpose of saving money where people are concerned so that they have better life. This is case that deals with the human resource management and other strategies that are adapted by Walmart.
Company Overview
The Time line
The first Walmart store was opened in 1963 Rogers and since then they have been dedicated in bringing about a difference to the lives of the customers and communities by improving helping them in saving money and living better (Walmart, 2012)
In the 1960′ s there was a retail revolution and the unshakeable foundation of Walmart was set then which was the Lowest Prices Anytime, Anywhere and the the store grew larger to earn about 24 stores. Walmart went national in 1970’s after almost a decade of the incredible growth. It also became a publicly traded company. Walmart addresses the 1980’s as the decade of the firsts as they reached $1 billion in the annual sales for the first time and also had about 276 stores and employees about 21,000 associates. They became the top retailer of America by 1990’s and also went global. The new logo that they hold upright which is ‘Saving people money so they can live better’ was introduced by Sam Wright. Walmart went online in the 20th century. They also entered Japanese market. They have also made contributions to help in different disasters. The organisation completed 50 years recently and is keen on serving the clients in different parts of the world (Walmart, 2012). The logo that depicts Walmart now is (Walmart, 2012).
The operations at Walmart can be said to be divided into three segments that are super centres, discount stores and business segments. The services that are provided by these stores also vary in nature and size. The membership warehouse club o Walmart is Sam’s Club. There is also Walmart international and it is a part of the stores of Walmart and they vary in forms like discount stores, neighbourhood stores, Sam’s stores and super centres, hypermarkets, websites, warehouse clubs, restaurants, and restaurant across their products with at least 70 banners. The whole of these operations are depicted in three different ways that are wholesale, retail and others (Reuters, 2012).
Number of Staff
According the Walmart Annual report, the earning of the year 2012 crossed $15.8 billion in Walmart. They have also managed to return about $101 billion to the shareholders and interests of dividends and share repurchases (Annual Report, 2012). According to Hoovers, they also have about 2.2 million employees in Walmart (Hoovers, 2012).
Business Strategy
The business strategy that is adapted by Walmart is its low cost leadership. It can also be see that Walmart do not do things that are different from the competitors they have. The nature of the service stores are also no frills service stores, but the difference is that they are targeted at giving away the lowest of all prices. Each and every step starting from the manufacture to delivery of the products is designed to create value for the customers and save their money (Carlson, 2004).
Value proposition
The value proposition of Walmart is based on every day low pricing. This strategy remains the core of the business model. All the features are aligned to this model for the purpose of the everyday low price. This is a proposition that is kept forward for customer convenience so that they don’t have to wait for the time of the sales. Walmart also acts as a one stop centre for purchasing various products. This means that there is savings in the case of money and time when Walmart is considered (Basker, 2007).
Distribution channel
the value that is proposed to the customers are delivered to them through various channels now which are owned by Walmart and are direct in nature, this helps in bringing a better margin. The corresponding to the customers now happens through mass media and also through internet
Customer segment
The concept of self service and automation is framed for maintaining customer relationship. Mass customisation is the strategy that is taken by them for appealing to the masses. the group of the customers in the customer segment can be divided into three that are brand aspirators who are obsessed with brands, price sensitise effluents who looks for a deal when they shop and value price shoppers who can afford things at low prices (Barbara, 2007).
Key Activities
The key activities in Walmart include purchasing of the goods, the delivery of goods and also control of the total costs. The technological edge of the Walmart is highly applied in these activities to establish harmony among all.
Key resources
The key resources in the case of Walmart can be divided into three that are the physical resources human resources and company culture. These resources work hard to cater to the various demands of the customers
Key Partnership
One of the key ingredients that have worked in the case of Walmart is the successful relationship the Walmart have had with its suppliers. They are close partners to Walmart and Walmart offers them with an opportunity to expose them to a larger market and suppliers are ready to give theory name for Walmart.
Revenue Stream
the there is a fixed menu pricing in the case of Walmart and revenue strums come in from retail sales. They also sell its brand and also brands that are produced by themselves and others. One of the major advantages is that Walmart sells the goods and then pays the retailer.
Cost Structure
Walmart also have a cost driven model. Walmart have expanded to give benefits to the customers from economies of sales, this strengthens themselves, the customers and the suppliers. The financial discipline of Walmart is also known well as the operating costs are to be taken by the suppliers (Basker, 2007).
In short it can be said the cost leadership is the strategy that is delivered by Walmart. The business model that is adapted by Walmart is an adept platform and lets company be committed to experimentation and making the supplier their partners. This model is what made Walmart a role model as a retailer.
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