WAL-MART

Wal-Mart Globalization:

A study into Wal-Mart's Enterprise Resource Planning

Wal-Mart Globalization:

A study into Wal-Mart's Enterprise Resource Planning

Current Performance

Wal-Mart is at present experiencing continuing growth as it has since its creation. The reason for this continued growth is that through the years the company has stayed consistent with its mission of serving both its customers and associates and also maintaining its objective of being the very best in discount retail stores. Currently Wal-Mart is the number one discount retail store in the United States followed by Sears, K-Mart, Target and Kohls's, respectfully, operating in all 50 states. Wal-Mart is pursuing different target markets with the with the Wal-Mart Stores, Neighborhood Markets, Sam's Clubs and International Division. The company operates on procuring products with rigorous negotiations for the lowest price and economies of scale in turn to sell at thin margins and offer the customer the lowest price possible. Wal-Mart uses a top-of-the-line communications and information technology system for point of sale tracking and accounting. Wal-Mart's International Division is operating in 10 counties other than the United States.

Strategic Posture

1. Mission

Its founder, Sam Walton, brought about the mission of Wal-Mart as to "Serve the associates and customers with compassion and integrity." It is implied that Wal-Mart is dedicated to improve the quality of life of its associates, customers and community.

2. Objectives

a. To be the very best in discount retail stores.

b. To continue to be number one in discount retail in the United States.

c. To operate business the "Wal-Mart Way".

d. To become the world's largest company by its continued growth in the United States and the foreign countries that has expanded in to.

3. Strategies

a. Functional- Wal-Mart's marketing strategy is to function as a distribution point for venders and negotiates with those venders for low prices and economies of scale to keep the margins thin. With this practice, Wal-Mart can keep the prices low for the consumer and advertise as having the lowest prices. Wal-Mart offers an array of household goods, clothing, electronics, sporting goods and groceries.

b. Business- Wal-Mart's core competency is having the lowest prices in the discount retail industry. Sam Walton found his niche by locating Wal-Mart stores in rural towns then growing into suburban areas where there is a demand for discounted retail items. Wal-Mart uses a cost leadership strategy against its competitors.

c. Corporate- Wal-Mart has taken action in continuing to take a growth strategy in building new stores throughout the United States and also building and acquiring stores throughout International markets.

4. Policies-

a. "Provide the customers what they want, when they want, and at a value."

b. Team oriented associates "treating each other and the customer as they with to be treated."

Wal-Mart is known for promoting people form the inside. It is evident here with top managers. Most of the top managers with Wal-Mart have been with the company several years prior to the positions they are in right now or they have had experience with their particular position. The bottom line is that Wal-Mart does hire internally for positions all the way ...