This is a case study of Harshey's Sweet Mission. Having gone through the case study, there are suggestions to the changes that should be made to Hershey's performance management system to appeal to the diverse groups that it employs. The interpretation of the values of the organization and the need and the potential effect of mentoring in the organization.
Hershey's Sweet Mission case study - A
Harshey's Sweet Mission case study
Harshey company case study
Hershey Company is one of the leading North American companies that specialize in manufacturing quality chocolates, chocolate related grocery and other non-chocolate products such as mint and gum. As a company with a humble beginning back in the year 1894, it has continued to manufacture chocolates and other products that were once perceived to be only for the wealthy making them affordable. Over the years in operation, the company has continued to unveil new products having embraced different technologies to keep pace with the demand and competition and more so to satisfy consumer tastes and preferences.
The company survived the hard times during recession, stayed profitable and retained its workforce. As they continued to unveil more products and incorporated innovative ideas, it has grown globally thereby diversifying into other food products, expanded its confectionary product lines and acquired related companies in their line of operation to expand their business empires and other markets. Today the company has continued to enjoy a big share of the market with over 13,700 employees while also exporting its various products to 90 countries across the world. The Hershey Company is managed on four core values and is guided by the mission of the founder. The mission addresses all the stakeholders taking into consideration their well being and operates on acceptable values which have been set to satisfy all categories of the stakeholders with an aim of achieving its set objectives as a team (Hershey's, n.d).
Hershey has excelled in empowering its employees geared towards achieving the best results in accordance to its core values. The employees are aware on how their contributions and efforts benefit the organization and those positive attributes shared and rewarded if they help the company meet its set objectives. Due to the company's numerous branches and networks in several markets, it has a diverse culture in its workforce. This diversity is beneficial to the company as knowledge and new ideas are transferred and shared among its employees. There is also the diversity in terms of the age differences, the young employees get to learn from their senior counterparts which blends well and creates a favorable working environment. An appropriate performance management system therefore needs to be in place so that as the company encourages oneness while embracing the idea of growing as a team, it should be able to identify individual efforts in the bigger picture.
The management system should be one that doesn't disadvantage a category of employees as people have different degrees of performance but should be looked at in terms of consistency and delivery of service among other important aspects in the long run. The system should be designed in a manner that it doesn't discriminate; baby boomers should not be gauged equally with the younger employees. Different groups should be closely monitored and given a chance to recommend a system that they feel comfortable working with to avoid conflicts and hatred among themselves. The system should be designed to suit the needs of different departments or lines of production so that not all the departments are gauged using one system which could result into inter-departmental conflicts. The redesign should not bring unfair competition among the employees as it might shift the focus and misplace the company's core values and the set objectives. With such a diverse workforce, Hershey should design a system which is fair and allows every employee to track progress on projects set goals and link them to the company's set objectives which is the main goal of installing the system.
As an employee, the values that Hershey embraces have an impact in my role in many aspects. By being open to possibilities as one of the core values would influence my thinking as it prepares me to work together in an environment which is more challenging, embracing diversity which allows me to open up for challenges, seek new approaches and solutions to overcome obstacles which offers me the chance to improve my skills and continue rendering my services in accordance with the values. Growing together as one of the values would enable me as an employee to embrace team work, encourage one another to meet the set goals, uplift one another and unwrap the potentials in each and every employee while observing respect to create a healthy working environment. Making a difference as a value would encourage me to work hard and have appositive impact on everything that I do, lead with integrity and set a good example to my peers and those serving under me. Lastly by embracing the value of one Hershey, it would influence my actions and strive to ensure that my efforts are in line with the company values to encourage the spirit of a one winning team (Hershey's, n.d).
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