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Collaboration involves employees working together to achieve a common goal. Sullivan (2009) stated, “lateral communication differs from downward communication because it is not hierarchical, meaning it does not call for top management to pass information down through various layers of supervisors to workers on the lower rungs of an organization. Lateral communication is collaborative and linking personnel as they accomplish the tasks of their jobs” (p. 286). For example, cashiers can make a plan to improve customer service. Vertical collaboration is employees of top management or supervisors of the hierarchical levels working together to complete a mission ("What Is Vertical Collaboration?" n.d.).  For example, Yvonne Reyonalds (director store operations) working with inventory manager to anticipate and plan for daily, weekly, and seasonal needs.

Kudler Fine Food needs to use lateral and vertical collaboration to make their company a success. To make an action plan first identify specific actions the company needs to carry out with a specified time a year or less. Collaboration between department managers to ensure the company is meeting their goals such as cost saving, time-management, and inventory control. The top management needs to communicate effectively with every employee within the company to put the plan into effect. Management need to break down different task, set a time frame to finish the task, employees show accountability, and the outcome of the task will have on the company.

References

Sullivan, L. E. (2009). Lateral communication. In the SAGE glossary of the social and

behavior science. (p.286) Thousand Oaks, CA. SAGE publications, Inc.

What is vertical collaboration?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.businessdictionary.com