Mrs. Fields Cookie Case
1. Describe and evaluate the organizational structure of Mrs. Fields' Cookies. What alternative structures might Debbi and Randy Fields have pursued?
Mrs. Fields Cookies organizational structure is "the less hierarchy, the better . . . that with hierarchy, the larger an organization, the more managers turn to managing people and less to managing key business processes." They believe in a system with no official organizational chart so anyone anytime could communicate regardless of their status within the company. I think that this is a very good structure, especially for a company that is based on making people feel good. I believe that sometimes a hierarchy makes employees feel unimportant or unworthy of attention.
2. Describe and evaluate the approach to management control systems at Mrs. Fields' Cookies, in terms of those systems' ability to help management monitor operations, evaluate performance, and make strategic decisions.
Their approach is basically to have computers do as much of the employees work as possible so that the employees will only have to concentrate on pleasing the customers. They have a feel good policy at Mrs. Fields. They want their employees to feel like they are customers and their customers to feel like they are special. With computer doing most of the work, the employees will have more time to enjoy themselves and will be more happy to help the customers. They have computers to make suggestions when sales are low, the weather is bad, or it is a holiday. Their computers also help mangers keep in touch with staff, record the hours worked by employees, and help managers hire new employees. I believe this is a wonderful strategy and is the key to Mrs. Fields long-term success. I wish that more companies would be concerned about employee and customer satisfaction.
3. Describe and evaluate the role of information technology (IT) at Mrs. Fields' Cookies.
Because of information technology, Mrs. Fields has had long term success. Their information systems can:
1.Allow the manager and employees to communicate daily
2.Help store managers make hiring decisions based on the information written on the employee application
3. SHE GOT TO WORK WITH THE EMPLOYEES
4. Conduct a skills text of prospective employees to see if they are the right kind of people for Mrs. Fields
5. Produce a schedule for a work day based on the minimum sales target, the day of the week, and type of day (holiday, school day, etc)facilitates the payroll process
6. Can create a cost benefit analysis to justify potential payback, sales drive, and potential importance of new ideas
4. Given their goals and the competitive environment in which they compete, have Randy and Debbi Fields made coherent choices about organizational structure, management control systems, information resources, and people?
I would think so..
They seem to focus on the customer, but most importantly, the employee. Having these two things in equal existence is a great thing. If those two groups are satisfied then the competition is eliminated. Customers will return and employees will work as long as they feel important. Their information systems are up to date and very useful and they have a disaster plan. Mrs. Fields has achieved its goals.
- Which form of organizational structure did Debbi Fields use in her cookie business?
I think she use divisional.
