Case Study - Whole Foods

Submit 1,500-word written case analysis of Case #2 "Whole Foods" in accordance with the Case Analysis Guideline from the "Guide to Case Analysis." Also, follow the guidelines from the Case Analysis Rubric. Both of which are listed below…

As a standard format use the 5 steps when evaluating this case:

Problem Statement - Defining the issue(s) and establish the all the pertinent facts in the case
Determine the Root Cause(s) of the Problem-How it arose, how it got to this point. This is where the analysis starts.
Generating alternative solutions: what might be some ways to resolve the problems identified? Propose some alternative solutions and analyzing and evaluate these alternatives.
Identify the choice – which solution best solves the problem and why (provide some rationale).
Develop an action plan to /implement your proposed solution: what will it look like to implement the solution, and what steps should be taken?

1,500 word case analysis. Word count does not include charts, graphs, or references.
- Include charts/graphs to add depth to your words.
APA 6th edition
- For citing of resources: You will need to include in-text references with only either the author’s last name or a short title of the work and the page number in parentheses after the material from that work. The in-text references are included in the word count. The resource page is not included in the word count.
Required resources: Other than the textbook, you must include at least 2 peer-reviewed resources that add credibility to your case study. Add the (CORRECT) page number where you referenced the source into your in-text citation.
Textbook used: Gamble, J.E., Thompson, A.A; and Peteraf, M.A. (2014). Essentials of Strategic Management: The Quest for Competitive Advantage, 5th edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2017. ISBN 9781259546983.

Grading Rubric:

Demonstrates exceptional knowledge, insight and understanding of the subject matter, including the ability to select and apply the most appropriate, well-researched content to develop an effective approach.

Demonstrates content mastery by applying the most suitable theoretical framework, models, and/or techniques.

Includes the application of relevant concepts from previous courses, when appropriate.

Examples link directly and appropriately to the subject matter.

Uses course materials as a springboard for developing original, insightful ideas.

There is an exceptionally clear, arguable, well-developed, and definitive position stated.

Information is presented in a logical, interesting sequence organized with smooth transitions and appropriate headings.

Uses an appropriate level of highest quality research, and theories and concepts are presented accurately and sufficiently.

All supportive materials are properly and flawlessly cited, and formatting is consistent with the designated style (e.g., Harvard).

Project is exceptionally concise, clear, with consistently proper grammar, spelling, and paragraphing.

Clearly addresses the target audience.

The project strictly adheres to the guidelines and format required by the assignment.

The conclusion unites the important points of the presentation and encourages future discussion.

Additional considerations for visual presentations:

The presentation layout is interesting and visually pleasing and contributes to the overall message.
Professional-level use of headings, sub-headings and white space, along with appropriate fonts and size.
All graphics are attractive (size and color) and help to explain, reinforce, and support the theme/content of the presentation.

Demonstrates exceptional work through the consistent use of a clear and logical progression of points and conclusions.

Carefully analyzes the information collected and draws appropriate, inventive, warranted, judicious, and non-fallacious conclusions supported by evidence through accurate interpretation of statements, graphics (e.g., charts, tables), etc.

Identifies not only the basics issues and implications surrounding the topic, but recognizes subtle nuances.

Identifies and questions the validity of key assumptions.

Thoughtfully analyzes and evaluates major alternative points of view, addresses contradictory evidence, and constructs persuasive and compelling arguments.

Makes clear connections to previous or current content and to real-life situations.

The project proposes feasible, practical, interesting, and actionable recommendations and solutions that consider cost, culture, timeframe, and other critical factors.

Clearly identifies and describes action issues associated with specific decision-makers.

Presents information, concepts, conclusions, etc., so that others can use the information to improve/transform their lives and the organization they serve.

A plan for measuring outcomes for the proposal is detailed, well-thought out, and realistic.

Clearly describes the value added to the organization and how goals balance and satisfy different stakeholders’ interests.

Selects and applies the appropriate analytical tools (quantitative and qualitative) to address the business issues for the particular discipline (e.g., accounting, economics).

Case Analysis Guideline from the "Guide to Case Analysis."

A comprehensive written case analysis, where the expectation is that you will (1) identify all the pertinent issues that management needs to address, (2) perform whatever analysis and evaluation is appropriate, and (3) propose an action plan and set of recommendations addressing the issues you have identiﬁed. In going through the exercise of identify, evaluate, and recommend, keep the following pointers in mind.

Identiﬁcation. It is essential early on in your paper that you provide a sharply focused diagnosis of strategic issues and key problems and that you demonstrate a good grasp of the company’s present situation. Make sure you can identify the ﬁrm’s strategy (use the concepts and tools in Chapters 1–8 as diagnostic aids) and that you can pinpoint whatever strategy implementation issues may exist. Consider beginning your paper with an overview of the company’s situation, its strategy, and the signiﬁcant problems and issues that confront management. State problems/issues as clearly and precisely as you can. Unless it is necessary to do so for emphasis, avoid recounting facts and history about the company (assume your professor has read the case and is familiar with the organization).

Guide to Case Analysis

Analysis and Evaluation. This is usually the hardest part of the report. Analysis is hard work! Check out the ﬁrm’s ﬁnancial ratios, its profit margins and rates of return, and its capital structure, and decide how strong the ﬁrm is ﬁnancially. Table 1 contains a summary of various ﬁnancial ratios and how they are calculated. Use it to assist in your ﬁnancial diagnosis. Similarly, look at marketing, production, managerial competence, and other factors underlying the organization’s strategic successes and failures. Decide whether the ﬁrm has valuable resource strengths and competencies and, if so, whether it is capitalizing on them.

Check to see if the ﬁrm’s strategy is producing satisfactory results and determine the reasons why or why not. Probe the nature and strength of the competitive forces confronting the company. Decide whether and why the ﬁrm’s competitive position is getting stronger or weaker. Use the tools and concepts you have learned about to perform whatever analysis and evaluation is appropriate.

In writing your analysis and evaluation, bear in mind four things:

1. You are obliged to offer analysis and evidence to back up your conclusions. Do not rely on unsupported opinions, over-generalizations, and platitudes as a substitute for tight, logical argument backed up with facts and ﬁgures.

2. If your analysis involves some important quantitative calculations, use tables and charts to present the calculations clearly and efﬁciently. Don’t just tack the exhibits on at the end of your report and let the reader ﬁgure out what they mean and why they were included. Instead, in the body of your report cite some of the key numbers, highlight the conclusions to be drawn from the exhibits, and refer the reader to your charts and exhibits for more details.

3. Demonstrate that you have command of the strategic concepts and analytical tools to which you have been exposed. Use them in your report.

4. Your interpretation of the evidence should be reasonable and objective. Be wary of preparing a one -sided argument that omits all aspects not favorable to your conclusions. Likewise, try not to exaggerate or overdramatize. Endeavor to inject balance into your analysis and to avoid emotional rhetoric. Strike phrases such as “I think,” “I feel,” and “I believe” when you edit your ﬁrst draft and write in “My analysis shows,” instead.

Recommendations: The ﬁnal section of the written case analysis should consist of a set of deﬁnite recommendations and a plan of action. Your set of recommendations should address all of the problems/ issues you identiﬁed and analyzed. If the recommendations come as a surprise or do not follow logically from the analysis, the effect is to weaken greatly your suggestions of what to do. Obviously, your recommendations for actions should offer a reasonable prospect of success. High-risk, bet-the-company recommendations should be made with caution. State how your recommendations will solve the problems you identiﬁed. Be sure the company is ﬁnancially able to carry out what you recommend; also check to see if your recommendations are workable in terms of acceptance by the persons involved, the organization’s competence to implement them, and prevailing market and environmental constraints. Try not to hedge or weasel on the actions you believe should be taken.

By all means state your recommendations in sufﬁcient detail to be meaningful—get down to some deﬁnite nitty-gritty speciﬁcs. Avoid such unhelpful statements as “the organization should do more planning” or “the company should be more aggressive in marketing its product.” For instance, if you determine that “the ﬁrm should improve its market position,” then you need to set forth exactly how you think this should be done. Offer a deﬁnite agenda for action, stipulating a timetable and sequence for initiating actions, indicating priorities, and suggesting who should be responsible for doing what.

A Guide to Case Analysis

In proposing an action plan, remember there is a great deal of difference between, on the one hand, being responsible for a decision that may be costly if it proves in error and, on the other hand, casually suggesting courses of action that might be taken when you do not have to bear the responsibility for any of the consequences. A good rule to follow in making your recommendations is: Avoid recommending anything you would not yourself be willing to do if you were in management’s shoes.