The document is a summary of Walmart's mission statement and analysis of how it addresses stakeholders. Some key points:
- Walmart's mission is to save people money so they can live better. It aims to offer low prices through cost leadership.
- The mission satisfies investors by increasing profits, customers by offering low prices, and employees and suppliers through fair treatment.
- However, the mission only partially addresses employees and suppliers. It recommends increasing wages and focusing less on low prices to better satisfy all stakeholders.
Walmart CompanyWalmart Mission StatementRichard K. Hairston.docx
1. Walmart Company
Walmart Mission Statement
Richard K. Hairston
GM 504-01: Organizational Excellence and Change
Kaplan University
For
Dr. Barbara- Leigh Tonelli
6/6/2017
Mission statement
Walmart’s Mission Statement.
The strategic decision of Walmart Company is a direct
manifestation of the company’s mission.
“Saving people money so they can live better.” (Ferguson,
2017).
The mission statement is also synonymous to the company’s
slogan
“Save money. Live better.”
Individuals can afford to live better lives by purchasing
Walmart products that are relatively cheaper
Consequently, they are still able to save some money.
Walmart’s Mission Statement.
The strategic decision of Walmart Company is a direct
manifestation of the company’s mission. The mission of
Walmart Company illustrates that “Saving people money so they
can live better.” (Ferguson, 2017). Ferguson continues to
illustrate that, the mission statement is also synonymous to the
2. company’s slogan of the company “Save money. Live better.”
With this regard, individuals can still afford to live better lives
by purchasing Walmart products that are relatively cheaper and
still be able to save some money. this component of saving
individuals’ money has been continuously achieved by the
company. In this regard, the consumers of Walmart products
save their money through the low selling prices
2
Mission ideals
The mission ideals.
Business corporate strategy drawn from the mission statement.
Walmart employs the use of cost leadership strategy and
differentiation.
They are able to offer a wide range of products and services.
This offers people lowly priced products
This consequently improves the lives of people.
The mission ideals have been stated in a way that makes them to
be easily evaluated. In this regard, this is evident from the
business corporate strategy drawn from the mission statement.
Walmart employs the use of cost leadership strategy and
differentiation. In this way, they are able to offer a wide range
of products and services that are of better quality (improving
the lives of people) and at a lower cost (saving more money).
This are ideals that can be evaluated through cross margin
analysis with what the competitors offer. Walmart Supply Chain
has been successful in lowering the costs by helping the
company in the implementation of the strategy of the cost of
leadership.
3
3. Mission ideals cont.…
The mission statement also incorporates the element of cost.
Walmart has several value chain activities of cost leadership.
Their management layers have been reduced.
This lowers their overhead costs.
Employ use of just in time inventory.
Inbound logistics that lowers cost.
Hence capability of supplying cheaper products as illustrated in
mission.
The mission statement also states the ideals over which the
business can be evaluated in that, according to Wei et al, it
incorporates the element of cost. In this regard, Walmart has
several value chain activities of cost leadership. Their
management layers have been reduced so that they can lower
their overhead costs of the competitors who have several layers.
By employing the use of just in time inventory, Walmart has
inbound logistics that are highly effective by creating some fuel
efficiency in all their trucks, higher number of pellets on a load
and costs are lowered through large block purchases. Their
ability to lower the costs make them supply products from their
warehouses to the customers at a cheaper cost as illustrated in
the mission statement.
4
Defining the business
The mission statement defines the business in which the
organization wants to be.
It provides the purpose of the company based on its founder
“Sam Walton”.
This involves lowering the individuals cost of living.
There is development of procedures and processes that are very
unique.
The sum total forms the basis of the corporate culture
4. The culture defines its major businesses across the world.
This culture involves delivering customer services
improving performance and saving people’s money
(Walmart.com)
The mission statement defines the business in which the
organization wants to be in in that, it provides the purpose of
the company based on its founder “Sam Walton”. This involves
working together with different stakeholders so as to lower the
individuals cost of living. This is the only way that can offer
the world an opportunity of realizing the essence of saving and
having the kind of life that is much better. The mission
statement is fulfilled by Walmart through the development of
several policies, procedures and processes that are very unique.
The sum total forms the basis of the corporate culture of
Walmart stores which defines its major businesses across the
world. this culture involves delivering customer services that
are super, improving performance with an aim of saving
people’s money (Walmart.com)
5
Uniqueness of Walmart Products and services
There is some uniqueness in their products.
They have employed differentiation.
This makes them different from the competitors.
They have a wide range of products that competitors do not
have.
Bargaining power with suppliers
This gives Walmart an added advantage.
Substitute products are not able enter the market.
There is some uniqueness in their products in that, they have
employed differentiation which makes them different from the
5. competitors. They have a wide range of products that
competitors do not have. Since the competitors are not able to
provide this kind of products, they prevent their competitors
from supplying the same kind of products and therefore, high
barriers to the entry of new products. Consequently, this gives
Walmart an added advantage since substitute products are not
able enter the market. The company also employs the bargaining
power with its major suppliers and they play much of their
strengths by employing the logistics of transportation and
communication other than the initial strategy of retailing and
this is unique to Walmart (International Strategic Management,
2012)
6
Relevance of mission statement to stakeholders
The investors are the first priority of Walmart Company.
The company lowers costs to increase the profits that are
beneficial to the investors
The second stakeholders prioritized by Walmart are the
customers
Lowly priced goods to customers.
Thirdly, the employees are paid fair wages.
This is to ensure they afford better living
Suppliers sell their products to Walmart at prices that are
acceptable.
The mission statement has relevance to the stakeholders of
Walmart Company. The main stakeholders of Walmart includes
the investors, the customers, employees and the suppliers. The
mission statement has the element of cost. The investors are the
first priority of Walmart Company. The company is involved in
lowering the costs of operation in order to increase the profits
that are beneficial to the investors of Walmart. The second
stakeholders prioritized by Walmart are the customers and the
6. company provides goods and services at lower prices in order to
facilitate better lives. Third, the covers the employees in that,
the company pays the employees are paid fair wages so that
they can afford better living. Lastly prioritized are the suppliers
and are addressed by the mission statement in that, they sell
their products to Walmart at prices that are acceptable (Meyer,
2017).
7
The mission statement exciting, challenging and inspiring
The mission statement is exciting
This is because it focuses on making the world a better place
It focuses on improving the lives of the people.
The mission is challenging as the company gains very small
from its products
This is because of the low prices offered on products.
by offering the low prices.
The mission statement is inspiring in that it is simple and makes
a value.
It focuses on a global picture.
The mission statement is exciting, challenging, and inspiring.
It is exciting because it focuses on making the world a better
place by improving the lives of the people through the provision
of cheap products and services. Consequently, it covers the
important interests of the various stakeholders.
The mission is challenging in that According to Peterson
(2015), the company gains very small by offering the low
prices. This means that as the mission statement’s low price and
making individual lives better has a negative effect on the sales
of the company too. The mission statement is inspiring in that,
it is simple and makes a value that is unique from other
7. companies in the same market and focuses on a global picture of
making lives better.
8
Recommendation for improvement
Walmart mission statement partially addresses the interests of
the employees and suppliers
These stakeholder interests are never satisfied.
There is need to satisfy the interests of these two stakeholders.
This can be achieved through the implementation of changers.
For instance, increase in wages for the employees across the
board.
Consequently, the relation with the suppliers
This is by focusing on the suppliers in the middle rather than
paying much focus on the excessively low prices.
Walmart Company’s mission statement effectively addresses the
needs of the investors and the customers but partially addresses
the needs of employees and suppliers (50 percent). In these
regard, the interest of these two important stakeholders are
never fully satisfied. In order to be able to satisfy these
stakeholders, there is need for the implementation of some
changes. For instance, the company can consider a considerable
increase in wages for the employees across the board.
Consequently, the relation with the suppliers can be enhance by
focusing on the suppliers in the middle rather than paying much
focus on the excessively low prices. Even though this will lead
to a small increase in the prices of the products, it is significant
in that it will improve the standing of the company especially in
the management of stakeholders and corporate citizen.
9
References
8. Ferguson, E. (2017). Walmart’s Vision, Mission, Generic &
Intensive Strategies. Business management.
International Strategic Management. (2012). Walmart - Chapter
5 - Corporate-Level Strategy.
Wei, L., Wang, S., Zhang, J., & Ao, Y. Strategic Analysis For
Walmart.
Walmart.com. Opportunity and Advancements. Retrieved on
2017 5 June from
http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/working-at-walmart.
Meyer, P. (2017). Walmart’s Stakeholders: Analysis &
Recommendations. Business Management.
Retrieved on 2017 5, June from http://panmore.com/walmart-
Peterson (2015). Wal-Mart CEO reveals the company's 8
biggest problems. Retrieved on 2017 5, June from
http://www.businessinsider.com/wal-marts-ceo-reveals-8-main-
Name of Case 1
Title of Paper
Student Name
GM504.xx (xx = section #)
Organizational Excellence and Change
9. Date
Professor (Name of Professor)
Introduction
This section will typically be one or two paragraphs. It is also
important to remember that the introduction should create
interest and entice the reader to keep reading the paper.
Specifically, you will need to introduce the reason for your
paper, create interest, tell your reader what the paper includes,
and briefly introduce the recommendations. The introduction is
a component of the “Content” grade.
Content and Analysis
(This is the description; not the section title.)
This section should have sub-sections for any topic that
consists of more than two paragraphs. This helps to organize
your thoughts and present your findings in a clear manner for
your reader. This is where the main points of the paper are
clearly developed. In addition, this portion of the paper should
include classifications, explanations, comparisons, and
inferences. Apply critical thinking to this section by using the
appropriate judgments and assessments based on your
evaluation and synthesis of information. This section will be in
your own words as you will describe what you read or learned
from the various sources that were reviewed. Do not include
long, direct quotes from your sources. Use your voice by
paraphrasing and using proper citations. This portion of the
paper is a component of both the “Content” and the “Analysis
10. and Critical Thinking” grade.
Recommendations
You should think of writing this section as if you were telling
your boss or a consulting client about something you have
learned. It is your opportunity to APPLY your learning to a
business context. The recommendations are a component of the
“Analysis & Critical Thinking” grade.
Conclusion
In the conclusion (1–2 paragraphs) you should succinctly
summarize the key points of the paper and reiterate your
recommendations in such a manner as to elicit a call to action.
The conclusion is a component of the “Content” grade.
References
Please be sure your references are in APA format. Citations and
references strengthen your analysis and recommendations and
are required for Focus Papers. Please ensure you have a
minimum of three references at least one of which must be a
peer reviewed (scholarly) journal article. The sources utilized
are a component of the “Content” grade.
1
11. Unit 2 GM504 | Organizational Excellence and Change
1 of 2
Assignment 1: Focus Paper
Several of our readings have presented the idea that businesses
today need to change its
thinking and mindset. In this Assignment, you will analyze how
your selected organization
practices a worldly mindset.
In this Assignment, you will write a 3–5 page paper that
includes the following:
your individual
Assignments.
Gosling and
Mintzberg’s worldly mind-set from “The Five Minds of a
Manager.” Gosling, J., &
Mintzberg, H. (2003). The five minds of a manager. Harvard
Business Review,
81(11), 54–63.
worldly mind-set.
ecommendations for how your selected organization might
12. strengthen its worldly
mind-set.
Criteria
● Write a 3–5 page paper (plus title and reference pages)
● Use the Focus Paper Template to complete your Assignment.
Save the document
using the naming convention: Username_Unit2_FocusPaper.doc
● The paper should have a minimum of three cited and
referenced academically
credible sources from outside of the course materials– one of
which must be a
peer reviewed (scholarly) journal article.
● Your paper and sources should follow proper APA format.
(Review the APA
formats found in the Kaplan W riting Center. To access the
Kaplan W riting Center,
select this link.).
● Review the Rubric below to ensure all points have been
captured in the paper.
Directions for submitting your Assignment
Submit the Assignment to the Unit 2 Assignment 1: Focus Paper
Dropbox by the end of
Unit 2.
GM504 Unit 2 Assignment 1: Focus Paper
14. 2 of 2
Introduction to your selected organization and discussion of
the organization’s worldly mind-set. 30
Analysis (30%)
Analysis of the organization’s approach and
recommendations. 18
Writing (20%)
Grammar, spelling, and paragraph composition. 6
List all of your references according to APA format and in-
text citations. Includes a minimum of three cited and
referenced academically credible sources from outside of the
course materials– one of which is a peer reviewed
(scholarly) journal article. Includes the Gosling and
Mintzberg’s article. 6
LATE Paper Deduction -0
Total Points Earned 60