Management
... in position for the other functions of management. Planning is a constant process that entails determining courses of action to respond to the questions of what should be done, by whom, where, when, and how. By planning properly, one will devise a proposal for the organizational activities necessary to reach the objectives one has set for themselves or their team. Organizing is the second major function. It involves managers grouping resources, identifying jobs and activities that will result in an efficient and effective manner. Leading is the process of influencing people to work towards a common goal to effectively meet the goals of the organization. Leading includes motivating, managing conflicts, effective communication and maintaining moral. Controlling is the process of evaluating and regulating standards to ensure that goals are achieved and taking corrective actions when necessary. The functions of management are clearly present within Kroger. In 1997, Kroger expanded its Accounting Center. Kroger had closed the doors on its Accounting offices in Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Columbus. The company had formed the Kroger Regional Accounting Center in Nashville, TN. This new venture would create up to 200 entry-level positions for the Nashville job market. The newly formed service center was set up to provide accurate, timely and efficient accounting services in one location. At the accounting center we oversea all accounting functions including; payroll, banking, warehouse, inventory and accounts payable to name a few. In the past 4 years, Kroger has become one of the nation’s leading food retailers with annual sales of $50 billion (Kroger.com 2003). The company operates in 32 states under a dozen banners. These banners include, Kroger, Fry’s Food Stores, Payless Foods, Kessel Foods, Dillon's, Fred Meyer, City Market, Smith’s, King Sooper's and Littman‘s Jewelers. To accommodate the rapid growth of the company, the Accounting Center has expanded. They now have over 400 employees at the service center, including an accounting center in Hutchison, Kansas. In order to take on such a huge undertaking, the management staff had to establish a plan of action. They established a mission statement and specified the goals and objectives with strategic planning which would enable them to implement their mission statement promise. Anticipating a tremendous workload, the management staff n...