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Smuckers' Fit or Lack of Fit - Case Analysis

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The case in this course is an "ongoing" case, which means that we have been taking an intense look at one company over the course of 5 modules. This term, we conducted a strategic analysis of the JM Smuckers company. In order to be best prepared and perform well on the cases, it is highly recommended that you complete the background readings and the SLP before writing the case.

This final case involves an analysis of strategy implementation at Smuckers. You will use the resources you identified in the SLP to gather information about the company and relate that information to your work in the previous four cases.

Step One. Review your cases 1-4 so that you are familiar with the mission, vision, SWOT, strategy, and strategic choices you identified over the course of the class.

Step Two. Research the structure, systems, people, and culture at Smuckers. Use the questions listed in the SLP as a guideline. You will not be able to get answers to every single question, but you will need to answer at least one or two for each component.

Step Three. Describe Smuckers' organizational design, key strategic control systems, primary people concerns and cultural factors that have a direct effect on strategy implementation.

Step Four. In a 4-5 page response, critically evaluate the fit - or lack of fit - between the company's mission, strategy, and organizational components critical to implementation.

Format:

Consider the Case as a formal business report that you are developing for the Board of Directors and CEO as Smuckers' company consultant. This is a professional document.

Executive summary: a synopsis of the main points, conclusions and recommendations made in the longer report. If you have never written an executive summary before, or would likea refresher, check this website http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/it/edit226/resource/execsumm.pdf

Introduction: State the main purpose of the response (thesis statement), what you hope to accomplish, and how you will go about doing it.

Main Body: The "meat" of the response. Emphasize analysis, not just description. Delineate separate topics or sections with headings.

Conclusion: Summarize response in the light of your thesis statement.

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Solution Summary

The solution provides a through analysis of Smuckers' mission and vision. A critical evaluation of the fit or lack of fit between the company's mission, strategy, and organizational components has also been discussed.195 words in 6 references.

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Structure:
What is the organization's structure? How decentralized is it? What are the lines of authority and communication? What are the roles of teams, committees and task forces?

Answers:
The company has centralised operations and the top management of the company include the following:
"Timothy P. Smucker's title has been changed from chairman and co-chief executive officer to chairman of the board and co-chief executive officer.

Richard K. Smucker's title has been changed from president and co-chief executive officer to executive chairman and co-chief executive officer. He will also continue in his capacity as president of the Company.

Vincent C. Byrd was promoted from senior vice president of its consumer business to president of the newly created coffee strategic business area (SBA). Byrd, who has been with the Company for 31 years, will immediately begin work with Smucker's internal integration team as well as the Procter & Gamble and Folgers teams to ensure the smooth integration and ongoing success of the Folgers business.

Steven Oakland was promoted to president of the consumer business. Oakland most recently served as vice president of the Smucker oils and baking SBA".
Reference: http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/2533812#

The name of the company highlights the centralised working of the company and brings out the completely centralised nature of decision making of the company. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago.
Reference: http://www.annualreports.com/Company/4832

Systems
How are the budgets set?
How is planning done?
What measures are used to evaluate performance?

Answers:

For the financials and the how the company plans, it is best to get an idea from the following .pdf. This provides a few of the important aspects of the company. The file is available at ...

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