“the Friendliest Store in Town” Sean Janson – Erin Miner – Jeff Olivas Alyssa Oziel – Billy Raikes.

“the Friendliest Store in Town”

Sean Janson – Erin Miner – Jeff Olivas

Alyssa Oziel – Billy Raikes

History• First: Nature’s Foods• 1998 - Nature’s sold to Wild Oats• 2000 - NSM’s first store opens: Raleigh Hills location• Privately held - owned by the same 3 families• NSM modeled after Nature’s with some important changes• 2008 - first social responsibility and community giving

report• Now has nine stores in the Portland Metro area• 2009 - new adjustments and

campaign to stay competitive• 2 Stores to open during 2010: SE Hawthorne & 43rd Progress Ridge - Beaverton• Continue growth in Oregon

Corporate Culture

Brian Rohter, CEOLisa Sedlar, President

Three rules:1. Say “yes”2. Speak up3. Wash your hands

Brian: the charismatic leader, the icon of New Seasons idealsLisa: the management and logistics guru

- Be yourself- Hire like-minded and cohesive personalities- Same policies for all employees: dress,

behavior, attendance- Expected to help out in any department

Work Environment• Bright, clean, friendly• All employees expected to help wherever needed• Lots of signage and information• Administration is off-site in North Portland• Each store’s products and appearance catered slightly to

neighborhood• Casual environment• Emphasize “buy local”• Friendly staff, cohesive team

Staff embraces the organic movement, values natural foods, and pretty much embodies the alternative Portland stereotype.

Metaphor

&

Family Atmosphere• Speak up!• Empowerment• Casual• Be yourself

• Cheers employees/patrons

• Collaborative decision making

• Everyone is welcome at Cheers

It’s okay to screw up…• Each employee get’s

a “get out of jail free” card.

• The “mustard story”.

• Woody Boyd – simple minded and lovable bartender who makes many mistakes.

Information overload!• NSM has intense

signage.• Open information policy

with employees.

• Cliff Claven = bar know-it-all.

6:57-7:15

Conflict• New Seasons tries

not to “go corporate”.• Sam Malone –

Cheers owner and bartender.

7:20-9:17

RECOMMENDATIONSIndividual recognition program• No real recognition program.o Based on employee-employee congratulation

• Can be an inhibitor to motivation as proposed by Herzberg’s Motivator-Hygiene Theory

• Will help foster going the ‘extra mile’• Helps strengthen a sense of community• Cast members never contributed

anonymously

RECOMMENDATIONSCommunication

Introversion:• More extroverted environment

(“Speak Up”)• Cheers always has a vocal cast

leaving no room for introverts• Isolation could set in

• Should build avenues of communication for introverts

Future Plans:• Although defines corporate

culture, can be problematico Ex. 10 stores maximum

growth, now 11o Cuts into profit sharing

• Builds mistrust/contempt• Democratic based decision

makingo Management consultant

RECOMMENDATIONSLarger Homogenous Groups

• Social Identity:

The Granola effect. Apparent identification by employees

• Group Think:

Can be exacerbated by the groups uniformity, and “Speak Up” policies

• Social Loafing:

Easily adopted with surplus of workers and informal work tasks

Can be combated by recognition programs.

Questions?

Thank you for your time and attention!