OSD Case III - Wegmans

Presented by:

Infernals

Wegman’s culture – A strong one

• One of the reasons of finding a place along with the big giants, is its strong culture itself

• Employee as well as people oriented culture• Employees took pride in joining Wegman inspite of it being a

grocery store• Turnover rate was a mere 6% (industry average 24%)• Culture kept constant across generations of owners• Employees were hired based on their interest in food which

kept the culture strong• Employees were willing to help each other making the place

comfortable for the new entrants• Culture became bigger than the owner himself

The strength of Wegman’s culture affecting its employees

• Employees feel as one whole unit rather than separate individual selves

• Alignment of organizational goals with individual goals• New entrants will have little difficulty in their process of

metamorphosis • The lack of bureaucracy and top management’s active part in

inculcating the culture make the employees feel that they are much closer to the owner and can reach him easily.

• Employees begin to identify with the organization much sooner• Since getting employed is not on the basis on intellect or

experience people, in order to earn quick money, might get drifted from their originally aspired careers

Advantages of culture imposition• Employees would think alike and work towards similar goals• All employees being treated similarly, would generate loyalty

on their part towards their organization• Lack of biases and differentiation• Would help to maintain transparency and discipline • Customers would have a similar experience across stores • Would help to maintain the same image of the organization

across all its areas

Disadvantages of culture imposition• Lack of innovation or generation of new ideas on part of the

employees• Lack of flexibility and employees may feel restricted• Employee may fake their interests just to get recruited which

may not work towards organizational goals• All individuals differ in some way or the other, thus imposition

can lead to conflicts• Employees may have or at least pretend to have different

interpretations of the same imposition just to have their ways and get out of the rigidity.