Introduction
You’ve been learning about how important it is for you, as a leader, to step up and manage change—whether it’s change that happens to your organization or changes you implement to make your organization better. Be sure to review the different models for managing and initiating change, including Kotter’s 8-step change model.
For this assignment, revisit the case study from Assignment 1 about the challenges and changes at Café Cupcake. Select a change that Café Cupcake is trying to implement in order to grow their business and use Kotter’s 8-step model to describe how you would do it. How will you create urgency around your change? How will you form a coalition? It is OK to be creative!
Assignment 2: Implement Positive Change at Café Cupcake
Due Week 6 and worth
1
40 points.
Introduction
You’ve been learning about how important it is for you, as a leader, to step up and manage change—whether it’s change that happens
to your organization or changes you
implement to make your organization better. Be sure to review the different models for managing and initiating change, including Kotter’s 8-step change model.
For this assignment, revisit the case study from Assignment 1 about the challenges and changes at Café Cupcake. Select a change that Café Cupcake is trying to implement in order to grow their business and use Kotter’s 8-step model to describe how you would do it. How will you create urgency around your change? How will you form a coalition? It is OK to be creative!
Instructions
Download the
Implement Positive Change at Café Cupcake Template
and save it to your computer.
Make sure you have read the case study
Recipe for Success: Growth and Evolution at Café Cupcake (in your eBook) before you begin the assignment. This is the same case study you used for your first assignment.
Select one of the changes you identified in the first assignment from the case study.
Describe the change and what sparked the team at Café Cupcake to implement it.
Apply Kotter’s 8-step model to implement the change at Café Cupcake.
a. Explain what you would do in each of the steps to implement the selected change.
b. Learn more about each of the steps by reading
Kotter: The 8-Step Model
.
Assess the use of Kotter’s 8-step model for this case.
Explain your thoughts on this process of implementing change.
c. Do you think it was effective in this case?
d. Justify your response.
Save your document as
FirstInitial_LastName_JGR300_ A2.
Submit your assignment using the Week 6 assignment link in Blackboard.
Course Connections
While completing this activity, be sure to
connect your responses to the course content you have learned so far. You should use specific phrases, ideas, and quotes from the
Strayer Story videos, Coach’s Huddle, weekly readings, and/or discussion questions to explain and support your thoughts.
Assignment Requirements
Formatting
The length of the paper should be 3–5 pages.
This course requires the use of
Strayer Writing Standards (SWS)
. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Resources
Use a
minimum of two sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your activity. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the
library
or review
library guides
.
Wait! Before you submit your activity to Blackboard, did you …
Review the scoring guide?
· The scoring guide will give you a clear understanding of the activity’s expectations.
Check your activity for grammatical errors?
Review your answers for clarity?
Reach out to your instructor if you have any questions?
Scoring Guide Assignment 2: Implement Positive Change at Café Cupcake
Percentage of Course Grade: 14%.
|
Criteria |
Unacceptable Below 60% F |
Needs Improvement 60–69% D |
Satisfactory 70–79% C |
Competent 80–89% B |
Exemplary 90–100% A |
|
Describe the change you selected and what sparked the team to implement it. |
Did not describe the change you selected and what sparked the team to implement it. |
Selected a change, but did not describe the change and what sparked the team to implement it. |
Selected a change, but did not clearly describe the change and what sparked the team to implement it. |
Described the change you selected and what sparked the team to implement it. |
Described the change you selected and what sparked the team to implement it. Supported the response with specific information from the case. |
|
Apply Kotter’s 8-step model and explain each step to implement the selected change. |
Did not apply Kotter’s 8-step model and did not explain each step to implement the selected change. |
Identified the 8 steps of Kotter’s model, but did not explain each step to implement the selected change. |
Identified Kotter’s 8-step model, but did not clearly explain each step to implement the selected change. |
Applied Kotter’s 8-step model and explained each step to implement the selected change. |
Applied Kotter’s 8-step model and explained each step to implement the selected change. Supported the response with specific information from the case. |
|
Assess the use of Kotter’s 8-step model for this case. |
Did not assess the use of Kotter’s 8-step model for this case. |
Discussed the use of Kotter’s 8-step model for this case, but did not assess the use. |
Discussed the use of Kotter’s 8-step model for this case, but the assessment was incomplete. |
Assessed the use of Kotter’s 8-step model for this case. |
Assessed the use of Kotter’s 8-step model for this case. Supported the assessment with specific information from the case. |
|
Explain your thoughts on Kotter’s process of implementing change and if you think it was effective in this case. Justify your response. |
Did not explain your thoughts on Kotter’s process of implementing change. Did not explain if you think it was effective in this case. |
Discussed your thoughts on Kotter’s process of implementing change. |
Discussed your thoughts on Kotter’s process of implementing change, but did not explain your thoughts on its effectiveness in this case. |
Explained your thoughts on Kotter’s process of implementing change, but did not clearly explain if you think it was effective in this case. Did not justify your response. |
Explained your thoughts on Kotter’s process of implementing change and if you think it was effective in this case. Justified your response. |
|
Write in a professional manner using proper grammar and spelling. |
Did not write in a professional manner using proper grammar and spelling. |
Writing does not meet minimal standards. Tone is not professional. Writing is wholly lacking in logic, clarity, and/or consistent formatting and contains many spelling and/or grammatical errors. |
Writing meets minimal standards. Tone is not professional. Writing lacks logic, clarity, and/or consistent formatting and may contain more than four spelling and/or grammatical errors. |
Wrote in a professional manner using proper grammar and spelling. Writing may contain 2–4 spelling and/or grammatical errors. |
Writing is excellent. Tone is professional and sophisticated. Writing shows logic, clarity, and consistent formatting and contains no spelling or grammatical errors. |
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Implement Positive Change at Café Cupcake
Student’s Name
JGR300 – Performing Under Pressure
Professor’s Name
Date of Submission
Introduction
Develop an introduction to your paper and subject matter. Remember to include the purpose of the paper. The introduction explains the points that will be made in the paper.
· Attract attention with a hook.
· Write about the focus or topic.
· Include a thesis.
Create a Heading
Create a Heading
Describe the change and what sparked the team at Café Cupcake to implement it.
Create a Heading
Apply Kotter’s 8-step model to implement the change at Café Cupcake.
· Explain what you would do in each of the steps to implement the selected change.
· Learn more about each of the steps by reading
Kotter: The 8-Step Model
Create a Heading
Assess the use of Kotter’s 8-step model for this case.
Create a Heading
Explain your thoughts on this process of implementing change.
· Do you think it was effective in this case?
· Justify your response.
Conclusion
Summarize your findings.
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Sources
Note: Use a minimum of two sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment. For help with research, writing, and citation, access the
library
or review
library guides
.
1. Enter source here using
Strayer Writing Standards (SWS)
.
2. Enter source here using SWS.
Challenges and Change at Café Cupcake
Edward Williams
JGR300 – Performing Under Pressure
Professor: Leslie wills
2/10/2023
Introduction
The fast growth and success of Cafe Cupcake led to employee dissatisfaction, overworked managers, and a heavy burden on cafe owners
. The Café Cupcake case highlights the organizational challenges that many companies can face as they grow or evolve, and the lessons learned from Café Cupcake can apply to any company
, regardless of size
, or field of activity. In this paper, we will examine the various challenges which Café Cupcake has faced and the changes it had to undergo.
The changes and challenges within Café Cupcake
Cafe Cupcake has three identifiable issues that seem to be holding back its growth and scalability across the country. Internally, Cafe Cupcake has struggled with employee dissatisfaction, inconsistent performance, and disagreement over what the company’s next move should be. Their strategy and structure have nothing to do with employee concerns. The company’s rapid growth and success overwhelmed the leaders’ desire to expand, driving a wedge between them and the workforce. Despite their efforts to develop a comprehensive human resources plan, the three top leaders failed to agree on the future. The company lacked a clear vision due to three very different personal priorities. Despite growing rapidly with
, multimillion-dollar revenues, Café Cupcake has experienced one of the most common norms in the restaurant industry: high turnover and disgruntled employees.
“Constantly falling behind and not having enough time to complete all tasks and responsibilities.”
“No overview of promotions and advancement.”
“A perfectionist mindset leads to a constant sense of failure.”
“Managers are overworked and underpaid.” store managers complained desperately of being overworked and stressed. Frontline workers blamed differences in training and policies for their dissatisfaction and lack of attention to detail.
When asked if they have an adequate training program and clear quality service standards, 50% of employees disagree. As expanded globally, Davis and Bisset relied on regional managers and directors to communicate company culture to employees. They tried several attempts to solve this problem, such as creating policies, and procedures manuals, re-evaluating staff, eliminating disgruntled and apathetic staff, and visiting each store to confirm their commitment to a team focused on customer service, reliability, and attention. Expect detail and pride. in effort. in the business. Between 2013 and 201
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, their efforts paid off and they opened 20 new cafes. The bigger the company, the more it needs a better management team. They decided to appoint six (6) regional managers, each responsible for seven (7) stores and even created a separate bakery department. With the addition of multiple levels of management in the company and the adoption of rigid formal procedures, another problem of lack of flexibility and decision-making capacity arises. At that moment, Davis and Bissett knew they needed an expert in human resources and business management. Dr. Jonathan Patel is perfect for solving the Cupcake Café problem. He quickly understood the cause of the problem, as their HR system was too informal and uncoordinated to provide services on a global scale. Store managers have the power to hire staff and make them feel like the owners of the business, but they often hire their friends without in-depth interviews. Patel insists the company needs to improve key things like recruiting, selection processes, and promotions before expanding and adding more than 4,444 locations. As an expert in the field, Patel has that right, because we can form technical skills, but not values. Finding the right people who fit the company culture will reduce turnover and increase engagement. However, Bisset disagreed because they
wanted to leverage the brand and product to maximize their market share.
The Internal or external challenge, source of challenge, and the cause.
There are four main internal weaknesses of Café Cupcake and two major external threats that need to be addressed. First, the management team was wondering what to do with the direct business” as mentioned earlier, one wanted to expand nationwide, and the other wanted to develop the product. with healthier foods and a third person wants to focus on maximizing IPO funds (Mayo & Beckham, 2018, p.7). Second, Dr. Patel rolled out new guidelines, emphasizing quarterly meetings, roundtables, and weekly webinars for managers. While this improves business operations, it takes time to validate these changes; therefore, the IPO option is not ideal for concurrency. Third, managers and employees are not satisfied with their jobs; “managers are overworked and underpaid” and front-line workers feel “not motivated enough” (Mayo & Beckham, 2018, p.11). Employees feel a lack of compliance with the policies outlined in the handbook, and managers feel that the limitation on flexibility and innovation stems from the handbook. Fourth, managers are known to hire friends, leading to workplace bias and ineffective one-time bonuses. Finally, external threats include poor customer reviews and the trend toward a healthier menu market. Blaine Schreiner’s comment: This is a much better topic sentence. The rest of the paragraph should follow this guideline and indicate whether a weakness or threat has been identified. Blaine Schreiner Comments, a decision point of differing opinions is not a weakness unless it creates an inability to move forward. We are far from this point as we should develop a plan to address this challenge. Blaine Schreiner Comments: It is not considered a weakness. He said the new guidelines need more time. Blaine Schreiner Comments: These are the main issues in the case. The biggest problem facing the company is this one — expansion, product development, and an IPO will only succeed if hiring, training, and evaluation issues are resolved. The challenge yet to be identified is that the three main leaders are also overwhelmed and do not have enough time to conduct a background check. There is concern that the quality of products and services will decline without this oversight.
Opportunities in the International Markets
Opportunities are macro-environmental factors and developments that Cafe Cupcake can capitalize on to strengthen its existing market position or expand further. Opportunities can arise from various factors such as political developments and policy changes, technological innovations, changes in consumer preferences, increases in consumer disposable income, and economic growth. The rise of machine learning and artificial intelligence is changing the technological landscape in which Cafe Cupcake operates. According to Anthony J. Mayo and Heather Beckham, Cafe Cupcake can leverage these developments to improve efficiency,
reduce
costs and transform processes. Globalization offers opportunities in international markets. Cafe Cupcake is in a great position to capitalize on these opportunities and grow its market share. Anthony J Mayo and Heather Beckham said growing international markets could also help Cafe Cupcake diversify risk, as it would reduce its reliance on local markets for revenue.
Café Cupcake and their response to change
Cafe cupcake’s success didn’t come overnight, their strong social media presence took time and effort, which helped them reach new audiences. Through a well-executed social media strategy, Cafe Cupcake was able to connect with customers on a deeper level, driving loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing. Cafe Cupcake responds to change by taking on challenges that allow the business to grow and become a successful organization.
Preparing for change
After bringing Dr. Johnathan Patel, which is a new addition to the board who had to receive his doctorate in organization and management and help consulted many high-growth companies to develop solutions, he was able to map out a solution for café Cupcake taking on the new changes and challenges that the company faced. Patel could not pass up the chance to help lead the organization to its next level.
Doing things differently from Café Cupcake
I would delay national expansion and focus more on improving manager and employee satisfaction, improving the selection, and hiring process while introducing healthier food options to stay competitive with the global trends market. I will also implement HR processes for new results as this will help improve the business. Providing employee surveys will help assess their satisfaction needs and provide feedback while keeping owners informed.
Conclusion
Cafe Cupcake is one of the leaders in this industry. Over the years, it has changed the business landscape not only in their field but in the industry. The ability to lead change enables Cafe Cupcake to enter new markets, reach new customers, and deliver different value propositions to different customers in international markets. Cafe Cupcake’s ability to deal with the adversity that many businesses can face will help them grow and evolve as they do, providing solutions to problems and using the four components of digital transformation, embracing the technology to explore new products and market opportunities.
Sources
1.
https://store.hbr.org/product/recipe-for-success-growth-and-evolution-at-cafe-cupcake/919509
2.
https://oakspringuniversity.com/frontpage/swotcaseanalysis/21007-cafe-cupcake
3.
https://strayer.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781307419153/pageid/4
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