Work Place Observation

Workplace Observation

Kamilah E. Alleyne 

MGT/331

Adinah Johnson

June 15, 2005

Workplace Observation

This paper will discuss in detail how Belk Stores deal with communication flow, organizational policies, and dress. I have utilized different quotes on each topic to support my theory.

“Today, organizational communications must ensure that critical business knowledge is not only available to employees but also relevant enough for them to take action” (Gary F. Gates, 2004, p.14). In retail changes seem to happen overnight, it is a fast-pace ever changing environment. Far too many retailers leave their employees out of the information loop by not putting a system in place that will inform the entire store of the changes that take place daily. If and employee in the cosmetics department isn’t aware of the sales and events that are taking place in other departments they will be unable to promote the sale or event and will feel left out when a customer asked for the details of the sale or event.

Belk enables communication to flow smoothly by implementing good daily practices. Employees are not informed of sales until the morning or eve of the sale. Retailers do not want too much knowledge of sales before they take place; however, employees need to know the details surrounding a major sale. Morning meetings have been established to convey all new and important information. The store manager or assistant store manager will hold a morning meeting fifteen minutes before the store opens to announce the storewide sales. Each department manager has an opportunity to discuss the events for the day happening in their departments.

Also, Bulletin boards are placed in the break room and hallways of the employee entrance. These boards display the current incentives established to help employees meet sales goals and open credit applications, as well as the current updates to the register that are done frequently to meet the demands of the...