Research and Case Analysis #2 Please read the case called "Whole Foods Market in 2014: Vision, Core Values, and Strategy", and have a quick look at Whole Foods Website as well.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What would you say is the business strategy of Whole Foods Market Inc.? Do explain why you think that your answer is correct. (5 marks)
2. If John Mackey had consulted Professor Michael Porter about his (John Mackey's) idea of getting into the supermarket business, what do you think Michael Porter's response would have been? Be sure that there is absolute clarity in your answer. (You should review your textbook's discourses on Michael Porter's Five Forces Model of Competition before finalizing your answer to this question.) (5 marks)
3. What specific trend(s) in the macro-environment might have created the favourable opportunity for Whole Foods to become such a successful company. Do explain your answer fully. (3 marks)
4. The company has a unique management system. State clearly, precisely, and under separate headings your finding on the various elements of this system with respect to (a) organizational structure and design(b) corporate culture (c) recruitment and selection of employees and (d) employee compensation. Be sure that the identified elements of each of (a), (b), (c), and (d) are numbered and presented in separate sentences or paragraphs. Be sure that you frame your answer in your own words as much as possible and that you do not include anything other than what is asked above. (14 marks)
5. What criteria have been identified in the case material for the selection of the company's store locations? (3 marks)
6. What specific advantages did the company expect to derive from the acquisition of Wild Oats Market?

Do you agree or disagree? Why? (4 marks)

7. Please view/listen to the videotaped interview of the CEO and Co-Founder of Whole Foods, John Mackey, at the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, uploaded on YouTube on July 21, 2010. Here is the link.

A Conversation with John Mackey of Whole Foods Market - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KeaROG-DxU

What did he say about the shortcomings of Business Schools? Would BBA/BCom/MBA graduates agree with John Mackey? Why or Why not? (5marks)

8. Please conduct some research on the Internet, using credible sources, and offer a persuasive explanation as to why John Mackey sold the company to Amazon.com Inc. Do specify the sources of your information.

(5 marks)

9. Here is the first paragraph of John Mackey and Raj Sisodia's book called Conscious Capitalism (2014)

What is your personal evaluatior-of John Mackey's stance? (4 marks)

INTRODUCTION:

Awakenings BY JOHN MACKEY

Before I cofounded Whole Foods Market, I attended two universities, where accumulated about 120 hours of electives, primarily in philosophy, religion, history, world literature, and other humanities. I only took classes I was interested in, and if a class bored me, I quickly dropped it. Needless to say, with such a self-directed educational strategy, I learned many interesting and valuable things, but ended up with no degree.

I never took a single business class. I actually think that has worked to my advantage in business over the years. As an entrepreneur, I had nothing to unlearn and new possibilities for innovation. I spent my late teens and early twenties trying to discover the meaning and purpose of my own life.