Tanglewood Case 1

Tanglewood Stores and Staffing Strategy

Operating Environment for Tanglewood:

Tanglewood is a chain of retail stores that was created for customers seeking quality, durability, and value. The items in the store include clothing, appliances, electronics, and home décor. Tanglewood stands apart from other stores due to the unique and elegant design concept of their stores and personable sales staff. The owners, Emerson and Wood had strong core values from the start of their very first store, which was founded in 1975.

Emerson and Wood had a mission to be the best department store for customers providing maximum value. They believe that it is most important to always focus on performance and customer service. The culture of the overall business is unique compared to other department stores. They value the idea of employee participation, which allows anyone, at any level to make suggestions that could better the company. This allows for a strong culture throughout the company because employees feel that they have more of a say and believe that can make a positive impact even at an associate level. Having a voice in the workplace could relate to job satisfaction, which in return could affect overall job performance. “If you tell someone exactly what to do, you’re only getting half a employee. If you give someone the space to make their own decisions, you’re getting a whole person.”

Another aspect of Tanglewood’s culture in the workplace relates to involvement of employees not only with suggestions but with information as well. They provide employees with details about the company, which makes them knowledgeable and feel included. By having employees that are involved it makes for even greater success for Tanglewood.

Before expanding anymore, Tanglewood must make sure to “slow down and take a hard look at corporate culture.” It is something the company values so much, yet through adding so many other stores it is difficult to make sure the original philosophy...