November 11, 2009 in Letters

Standards help stores compete

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There are negative signs promulgated in our community regarding the management practices at Fred Meyer. So I visited the local store to investigate, because I like shopping at Fred Meyer for my groceries.

Essentially, our community tends to accept mediocrity in just about every facet except from doctors, police, firefighters and pilots, to name a few, because incessant mistakes can be disastrous. Here is a company striving for excellence by culling out the people unable to meet the level of performance established with their high standards. Some people have a difficult time in achieving excellence even with additional training, perhaps due to their inability to remain focused on the task at hand, or their lack of interest in doing the job right the first time, lack of sleep, lack of exercise or possibly an indifferent attitude.

Moreover, one person in an organization prone to mistakes can negatively affect the image of the company and the camaraderie among the other associates; the approach is analogous with winning sports teams.

Their methodology to garner a team of excellence is not wrong but necessary to differentiate themselves in the market.

Matthew Ewers

Spokane Valley

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