Micromanagement and Leadership at Kudler Foods

Micromanagement and Leadership at Kudler Foods

Charles Donaldson

MGT 521

Kudler Foods is owned and managed by Kathy Kudler. Kathy manages and controls all aspects of the three store multimillion dollar business. She works seven days a week and spends most of her time at the stores, selecting and ordering product, occasionally running the cash register, and sometimes even stocking the shelves after the store closes or before it opens in the morning. She is the only merchandise buyer for the three stores. She has a store manager and assistant manager for each store but hasn’t delegated any authority to them.

The effects of this management style have made Kathy indispensible but it has also weakened the ability of Kudler Foods to continue being an ongoing concern. The efficiency of each store is hampered by the ultimate inability of one person to manage and control all elements of her business.

Kathy Kudlers’ management style and action plan was short sighted from the beginning. Katy’s strategic plan, which was written by a senior in college for an assignment, illustrates how she cuts corners. The student was employed by Katy to get information on the business from employees and managers. Katy wrote a memo to her employees introducing the student and asking them for their support but did not advise the employees or managers on why the student was there or to request assistance in formulating the strategic plan. Katy keeps all management decisions to herself. The managers are not involved in the day to day operation or future planning of Kudler Foods.

The strategic plan that was developed for Kudler Foods lists several strengths and weaknesses for the business. Katy’s personal relationship with her staff was listed has one of her strengths. Katy’s management and leadership style does not allow for any of her employees or managers to really think or feel that they are a part of the business and its’ success. The...