QUICK TRIP CASE STUDY
QuickTrip Corporation is a chain of convenience stores located in Tusla. The company was opened in 1958 in Tusla. It has since expanded and sold their gasoline products in different parts. In the year 2006, it was ranked among the 100 best companies to work for. It was ranked on the 21st position. In essence, the company has been effective in its operations and management. Among the essential qualities that have enabled the success of this company is an operational strategy.
Moreover, they have efficient evaluation techniques that ensure the valuation and measurement of employees performance. Additionally, they have incorporated competent technologies which have ensured maximum production of the company. In essence, QuickTrip has been able to be a market leader based on their management practices. This paper focuses on an analysis of QuickTrip and sets to highlight the company’s organizational layout, performance metrics, as well as the technology that measures performance.
Operations Strategy
The success of Quick Trip is largely founded on their strategies. One of its significant strategies is a customer-based strategy. The company is overly focused on effective operative strategies. These strategies facilitate the competitive advantage for the company. their major focus is on providing the best product for their customers. (Gasoline). They also focus on providing other requirements that customers may need along the way. The Quick trip company ios very eager in providing a convenient factor for their customers. This is the main reason as to why they are opening new stores in the market they operate. The new stores will not only boost their sale but also maintain their ranking in the market as well as providing essential products for their customers at ease.
The company has developed competitive priorities. They are dedicated to providing and ensuring their employees are adequately trained. The sensitization on employee training is useful in ensuring they perform effectively and efficiently. They groom their employees into learning the best behaviour practices, which will attract more customers. The employees are focused and committed to the vision and objectives of the company. As such, they strive to perform better than their competitors.
These strategies have been of great importance to the company. Implementing these operational strategies has helped the company maintain its value in the market. They have a good competitive advantage regarding cost, focus and value advantage. The company offers quality products at affordable rates. This has helped them in maintaining their customer base in the market. This has helped them compete in the market, and it has helped maintain customers loyalty.
Moreover, their gasoline product breakdown is less in the market, which makes them unique. They are in a position to do more services as compared to their competitors. Such is achievable through the effective operative strategies laid down. These strategies have enabled them to maintain quality products and services for their customer, enabling them to amass significant competitive advantage.
Operational Management
One of the unique selling points of the QuckTrip is the fast delivery system. The arrangement of the inventory is easily accessible and in an easy manner for the customers. They have always maintained a cash register, which workers at the company are allowed to share. The company had some of its competitors trying their inventory arrangement but failed terribly. The manner of inventory arrangement enables services more quickly. They have a quick delivery system, which ensures the customer does not have to wait long.
Most importantly, the layout design and arrangement of inventory is similar in all quick trips stores and outlets. This had made shopping convenient for customers. Besides, the working environment is friendly, neat and tidy.
There are several challenges faced at the quick trip stores. The operational manager usually faces one of these challenges. They often face shrinkage of inventory. Within the company, inventory is filled after every three months. The most selling product has its inventory filled after 45 days. The managers make their records at the end of their shift. However, still, there is an indication of additional cost on inventory. As such, the inventory is lost due to the negligence of the managers. This is a sensitive issue that requires urgent measures. The operational manager needs to sensitize the management to adopt an online inventory system. The online platform shall indicate the quantity sold and the quantity remaining for restocking.
There is another challenge faced by operational managers. Organizing the activities of employees is a task. These employees face a lot of pressure since they have to finish their work before the shift ends. They often end up overburdening themselves. To cope with these issues, operational managers need to introduce a flexible time frame. That will allow the employees some time to relax. More so, the manager should actively motivate the employees to cultivate organizational commitment in them.
QuickTrip’s Value Chain
The value chain of the company has ensured they have maintained quality products. The company has paid much attention to its supply chain. They have ensured that their customers always get good services alongside convenience. They have maintained their store networks which have ensured customer performance, providing the best for their customers. The value chain of the company has much impact on quality products. The company has ensured quality products for its customers. That way, the customers are often satisfied. Customer satisfaction is a key element in the companies operational strategies. They have been able to garner maximum competitive advantage. They have materials collected from their collaborator’s brands, which they save in their inventories and later provided for the customers.
The supply chain of the company has positive impacts on the management, and their focus. This has enabled the employees to portray the strong image of the company in the market. That way, they have had an increased sale, which shows the company is enjoying good market sales. This means that the company’s market value has increased through improved sales. Due to the quality of the products offered by the company, the customer’s satisfaction is often high. Their value chain gives top priority to customer satisfaction. The company’s main objective is providing the best for their customers. The company has been involved in the evaluation process to measure their value addition. They will be able to determine their return on investments and validate the measure of their performance.
Measurement Techniques
The company is using various evaluation ways of measuring the performance of their employees. However, several other techniques can be used to ensure their effective performance, especially of the employees. One of the most effective performance measurement to be used is management by objectives. Measurement of performance by objectives is the most effective and efficient way of evaluating employee performance. This method sets different objectives to be achieved, given a certain set timeframe. It is very effective since it will motivate the employees to complete their given task in a set timeframe. This is because they know the management will reward them. There should be benefits at the end of the system, with the ultimate advantage for the employee and the company.
Another method that can be used in this company is the anchored rating scales. It is used to define performance on an individual employee. This indicates the behaviour the employee portrays while carrying out some tasks. It allows the company to evaluate employee according to their behaviour. It uses two methods in a mix. They are the rating scale and the critical incident method. This is an essential method for the company to use. This is because it enables the company value and evaluates the employee according to their abilities in different roles and skills.
Technologies in QuickTrip
In recent years, there has been an increase in cases of personal information getting used to accessing essential services. Some fraudsters have been using information contained in clients credit and debit cards and use them for their personal use. Such incidences have been experienced at quick trip stores. However, the management has ensured that such does not happen again. They launched a system of “pump shield” which is aimed at overcoming such fraudulent activities. A considerable number of their stores have applied this technology in curbing fraudsters.
They also have launched automated systems recording employees’ performance. It helps in checking the performance status of the employes regarding their work. The employees have been motivated to be responsible for their jobs and have a sense of being answerable. They also have automated digital assistant record system. It helps in inventory records in the store. The system also is designed to give feedback to the employees continuously. As such, restocking of the inventory is a task that is carried with ease.
Overly, the company is dedicated to improving the supply chain in a bid to maintain its rank in the market. The use of efficient technologies has much influence on the value chain. More so, efficient evaluation techniques have enabled the company to maintain good organizational management. The company moreover, had been able to maintain their rank at the market base due to their effective operational strategies. These strategies have enabled the motivation of employees. Motivated employees have developed organizational commitment, which has enabled them to provide better services to their customers. These strategies have been a significant factor leading to customers loyalty that the company enjoy.