Q.1 Discuss the most challenging aspects of a manager’s job at Staples.
Q.2 Critically discuss how the characteristics of a store manager would reflect on customers buying experiences in a store.
Q.3 Comment on the current organisation structure and assess the advantages and disadvantages if the structural arrangement is changed to a matrix formation.
Q.4 In your opinion, what are the likely obstacles to an effective strategy implementation system at Staples?
Q.1 Discuss the most challenging aspects of a manager’s job at Staples.
Q.2 Critically discuss how the characteristics of a store manager would reflect on customers buying experiences in a store.
Q.3 Comment on the current organisation structure and assess the advantages and disadvantages if the structural arrangement is changed to a matrix formation.
Q.4 In your opinion, what are the likely obstacles to an effective strategy implementation system at Staples?
Staples is an American multinational organisation in the business of providing office products to its customers. The company has experienced tremendous growth since its inception in 1986 and is one of the largest office products company in terms of sales and footprint. The entity has relied on its stores to reach its customers. As of 2006, the company had over 1500 stores in united States and Canada (Gavin and Levesque, 2007 p.1). The stores were responsible for 80% of the company sales. The organisation’s stores have some level of autonomy. The manager of the store is responsible for all activities carried out within the establishment. The units also maintain their own Profit And Loss Statements. Therefore, the manager is responsible for the growth of revenue at their unit. Gavin and Levesque (2007 p.1) report that each store averaged an income of six million dollars in 2006. Competition in the office product industry is high. Staples face competition from other companies in the same business like Office Depot and also big departmental stores such as Walmart. The heightened competition requires the firm to improve its customer service. The business instituted several measures that ensure the customer service at its stores is to a high standard. The firm has trained its staff and incorporated a customer-centric culture in its operations. The management at the stores is responsible for maintaining the required customer service levels. This paper is a case study on Staples that focuses on the management of the company; the challenges faced by the managers in running the units are discussed.