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Problem Solving Steps

In: Business and Management

Submitted By cjihrke
Words 485
Pages 2
Running head: PROBLEM SOLVING: KUDLER FINE FOODS

Problem Solving Steps: Kudler Fine Foods
Candy Ihrke
Samuel L. Cunningham/Online Faculty
University of Phoenix

Step 1: Describe the Situation
Kathy Kudler, the owner of Kudler Fine Foods, does just about everything for all three store locations as seen below.

Kathy Kudler
Purchasing Agent
Inventory Controller
Hires People
Fires People
Financial Manager
La Jolla Store
Encinitas Store
Del Mar Store
Encinitas Asst. Manager

Del Mar Asst. Manager

La Jolla Asst. Manager

La Jolla Store Manager

Encinitas Store Manager

Del Mar Store Manager

Kudler Fine Foods
Mind Map of Responsibilities

Output

Step 2: Frame the “Right” Problem Kudler Fine Foods (KFF) has experienced considerable growth from opening the first store in 1998 to the third store in 2003. With this growth came additional financial, purchasing, administrative, inventory, and HR responsibilities.

The owner, Kathy Kudler, has hired a store manager and assistant manager for each of the three locations. However, these employees are only handling the day-to-day details of running each location.

According to the Kudler Fine Foods 2003 Strategic Plan, “Kathy not only has the vision of the organization, she has established the culture and is the main management person. She hires new people, fires those not working out, finalizes the inventory numbers, places the weekly orders and controls the finances making sure all of the vendors get paid” (p. 12). She does this for all three locations.

Taking into consideration the time constraints of one individual, Kathy, effectively handling so many facets of a business with three locations additional management assistance is needed.

Step 3: Describe the End-State Goals from a Broad Perspective of Values

The first step is talking with Kathy to

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