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An Example of Successful Change EssayIntroductionWhy is Wal-Mart so Successful? Is it Good Strategy or Good Strategy Implementation? In 1962, when Sam Walton heart-to-heart the first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas, no one could have ever predicted the enormous success this small-town merchant would have. Sam Waltons talent for discount retailing not only made Wal-Mart the worlds largest retailer, but also the worlds reduce one retailer in sales. Sam Walton has made certain transmits that help Wal-Mart to achieve its success today. His change techniques involve changing people, technology, and product. Indeed, Wal-Mart was named Retailer of the Decade by Discount Store News in 1989, and on several occasions has been included in Fortunes list of the 10 most admired corporations.Changing concourseWal-Mart is successful not only because it guards sound strategic management decisions, but also for its innovative executing of those strategic decisions. In order to become a s uperstore, Wal-Mart decided to change the skill level of its workforce. Waltons great accomplishment was his ability to empower, enrich, and train his employees. He believed in listening to employees and challenging them to come up with ideas and suggestions to make the company better. At each of the Wal-Mart stores, signs are displayed which read, Our People Make the Difference. Associates regularly make suggestions for cutting be through their Yes We Can Sam computer program. The sum of the savings generated by the associates actually paid for the construction of a new store in Texas. One of Wal-Marts goals was to provide its employees with the appropriate tools to do their jobs efficiently. The technology was not utilize as a means of replacing existing employees, but to provide them with a means to heed in the retail market (Thompson and Strickland 93).Changing ProductWal-Mart stores operate according to their Everyday Low outlay philosophy. They provide customers access t o quality goods, to make these goods available when and where customers want them, to develop a cost body structure that enables competitive pricing, and to build and maintain a reputation for absolute trustworthiness (Evan, Shulman, and Stalk, 55). Through Sam Waltons pervert America policy, Wal-Mart encourages its buyers and merchandise managers to stock stores with American-made products. In a 1993 annual report management stated the program demonstrates a long-standing Wal-Mart commitment to our customers that we will buy American-made products whenever we can if those products deliver the same quality and affordability as their foreign-made counterparts (Thompson Strickland 68). With a variety of product and low cost, Wal-Mart has attracted more(prenominal) consumers.Changing TechnologyWal-Mart has invested heavily in its unique cross-docking memorial system. Cross docking has enabled Wal-Mart to achieve economies of scale which reduces its costs of sales. With this system, goods are continuously delivered to stores within 48 hours and much without having to inventory them. Lower prices also eliminate the expense of frequent sales promotions and sales are more predictable. Cross docking gives the individual managers more control at the store level. A company owned transportation system also assists Wal-Mart in shipping goods from warehouse to store in less than 48 hours. This allows Wal-Mart to replenish the shelves 4 times faster than its competition. Wal-Mart owns the largest and most sophisticated computer system in the one-on-one sector. It uses a massively parallel processor computer system to track stock and movement which keeps it abreast(predicate) of fast changes in the market (Daugherty 24). Information related to sales and inventory is disseminated via its advanced satellite communications system.ConclusionSam Walton, a leader with an innovative vision, started his own company and made it into the leader in discount retailing that it is today. Through hissavvy, and sometimes unusual, business practices, he and his associates led the company forward for cardinal years. Today the company is still growing steadily. Wal-Mart executives continue to rely on many of the traditional goals and philosophies that Sams bequest left behind, while simultaneously keeping one step ahead of the ever-changing technology and methods of todays fast-paced business environment. The future also looks bright for Wal-Mart, especially if it is able to continue its customer-driven culture, it should remain a retail industry leader well into the next century.