Operations Management: An Integrated Approach, 5th Edition

INTERNET CHALLENGE Synder Bakeries

You have recently taken a position with Snyder Bakeries, a producer of a variety of different types of baked goods that are packaged and sold directly to grocery chains. Snyder Bakeries has been in business since 1978. It is a small company with 95 employees, earning roughly $2.5 million annually. Competition in the baked goods market has been increasing steadily, and Snyder Bakeries is being forced to look at its operations. In addition, turnover and dissatisfaction among Snyder employees have been high. Mr. Lowell Snyder, President of Snyder Bakeries, is looking to you for help in redesigning the company's quality program. He would like you to focus on helping Snyder Bakeries develop a team approach among its employees as part of the implementing principles of total quality management.

To help Mr. Snyder, use the Internet as a source of information. Perform an Internet search to identify at least two companies that Snyder Bakeries can use as a benchmark for developing a team approach among employees. Explain how each of these competitors uses teams, how the teams are developed, how incentives are provided, and how employees are motivated. Also identify the benefits these companies have gained from using the team approach. Finally, outline a plan for Mr. Snyder based on the information you have gathered.