The Patagonia Company

The Hudson Bay Company was created in the late 17th century, decades before Canada became a country ("Our History"). Despite the success of the Hudson Bay Company, French and American interests did not back them ("Our History"). The main operations of the HBC was centred on trading with the Natives ("Our History"). The Natives brought furs to the forts and posts of the Hudson Bay Company, located around the shores of James and Hudson Bays, to barter for manufactured goods like knives, kettles, beads, needles, and blankets ("Our History"). These posts and forts along the west of Canada influenced where modern, major cities would grow ("Our History").

I was immediately intrigued from the beginning of Food, Inc. There was interesting and valuable information brought up during the film. Many people do not think about where their food comes from. I believe that if people were to know where their food comes from, they would not want to eat it. There are 47,000 products at a grocery store. But, Food, Inc. implies that this is in fact an illusion because all of them are made with the same crops. The fact that there are only a few multi-national corporations that control all of the crops and meat production is a huge surprise. I believe that each person in society would be absolutely shocked if they were to watch this documentary.

The relationship between employees and companies are becoming more and more complex all over the years. This relationship is extremely important since it directly affects how the employees fells about the organization, what are their attitudes about the company and how they effectively perform in their jobs.

We all know that a company that can build trust and bring about a rewarding atmosphere of personal appreciation and contribution will develop workplace norms and behaviors that bring outstanding performance from its personnel. Of the companies on our list the ones chose to research were CHG Healthcare, Wegmans Food Markets and Google. All three of these organizations caught my attention for number reasons, but what got my attention the most and really made me choose them was how they value their employee’s and strive to satisfy their needs. Most of us strive provide the best way of life possible for our families. When searching for employment people

A stakeholder is a party that has an interest in a company. It may affect by the business or organization actions. Typically, the prime stakeholders are customers and employees. Patagonia is eco-friendly clothes are gaining the support of consumers and non-governmental organizations in the U.S. Since the company is a certified B Corp, they provide workers with certain benefits, the community and the environment. Patagonia outdoor clothing and gear retailer is well known for sustainability. They protect the environment and inspire social change. The company overall environmental and social performance is measured and independently verified a third party. Patagonia believes that full of practice transparency will be the ones in the future rewarded

The founhder of the company, Godfrey Keebler, started with jus a small bakery in Philadelphia, PA in 1853. During the next two generations, local bakeries popped up around the country, including Strietmann, Hekman, Supreme and Bowman. With the introduction of cars and trucks (carrying the Keebler logo), bakery goods could be distributed beyond the neighborhood and regional distribution began.

As companies continue to try to come up with a plan for remaining profitable, some are overlooking one of their best opportunities due to their short sightedness and obsession for short term gain. It is the very asset which most firms claim is their most important and the one which provides them their competitive advantage. It is also, in some companies, the asset which is most mistreated and neglected as it is the most costly. It is the company’s employees. I don’t know of any company which would not state that employees and their knowledge of the company, its products and services, processes,

- The recent market position of Samuel Adams beer is very strong, as well as growth prospects.

The Clorox Company is about to enter a new product market by launching a faucet mounted filter system in order to maintain its dominance in the water filtration business. To do this in a successful way, Clorox has to conquer this market with the right entry strategy. Main goal is therefore to gain market share by targeting the right customer segment and make an appropriate marketing investment. Also the previous pitcher market leadership must be maintained.

In 1907 the Hershey Chocolate Company started producing a flat bottomed milk chocolate candy which Mr. Hershey decided to call the Hershey Kiss. In early production the Hershey Kisses were individually wrapped in little squares of silver foil. In 1921 when the wrapping machine was invented Hershey decided to give the Hershey Kiss a “plume” like appearance that we recognize today. This was to signify to consumers that this was a genuine Hershey’s Kiss Chocolate. This was eventually trademarked in 1913. Over the next two decades the Hershey Chocolate Company would produce several more products. These products were Mr. Goodbar (1925), Hershey’s Syrup (1926), chocolate chips (1928) and the Krackel bar (1938). During the Great Depression of the 1930’s these products made it possible for employees to keep their jobs and the company was able to sustain profitability. During even harder times, WW II, The Hershey Company provided survival rations of chocolate bars for military use. By doing this The Hershey Chocolate Company earned no less than five Army-Navy “E” Production Awards for its exceptional contributions to the war effort. In fact, the company’s machine shop even turned out parts for the Navy’s antiaircraft guns.

1) Evaluate Patagonia’s Workbook Process. Would you recommend to Patagonia’s management that they continue the process? Why or why not?

This report seeks to assess the efficacy and sustainability of Patagonia’s strategy, its success in being an industry role model and the prospects of its Product Lifecycle Initiative in generating profitability and improving the environment.

1. What is Panera Bread’s strategy? Which of the competitive strategies discussed in Chapter 1 most closely fit the competitive approach that Panera Bread is taking? What type of competitive advantage is Panera Bread trying to achieve?

A Business week article makes an interesting statement that Costco belongs to the very short list of companies with a culture so favorable to employees that it gives the company a competitive advantage, and it’s most likely to keep on rising over many decades. Costco sees workers as an asset to invest in, rather than a cost that must be reduced. In the U.S. Costco pays workers an average of nearly $21 per hour, almost three times the minimum wage and about twice as much of what most competitors pay. They receive great benefits and are part of a safe and healthy working environment as well. At Costco they are committed to providing its employees with opportunities for personal and career growth. Costco has implemented a strategy for a competitive advantage by having a mix of low-cost providers and differentiation. Company differentiates itself by providing consumers with products in bulk at a low per unit cost. Costco offering two types of memberships- the regular and executive membership. With an executive membership, Costco gives a 2% reward on annual Costco purchases. A holder of the executive membership receives incentives for shopping there, which leads to more sales and higher customer visits. This is just one of the many reasons customers keep going back to Costco. It has made itself a highly successful company by offering quality products and excellent customer service.

1. How would you evaluate Astor in terms of his motive, his managerial ability, and his ethics? What lesson does his career teach about the relationship between virtue and success?