Emotions, Attitudes and Job Satisfaction

Trader Joe’s has found success in grocery shopping novelty. It is an eccentric and innovative chain that makes shopping for groceries an exciting edifying occurrence. The privately held Trader Joe’s has 367 stores ranging across 32 states and Washington, D.C. (Bond, 2012). Sales for the year ending 2009 were approximately $8 billion, despite the company’s calculated “scaled-down” strategy, and they continue to show annual increases (Kowitt, 2010). The company has experienced tremendous success with their small friendly staff that has been developed from within. With impending plans to expand into new markets by adding stores, the company must reevaluate employee emotions, attitudes and job satisfaction, in order to determine if this is a feasible venture. This paper will address Trader Joe’s current approach to promote a positive work environment for its employees, as well as the company’s management process to developing these employees. There will also be a discussion of avenues that leaders can take to effectively manage relationships in general by using the four Emotional Intelligence competencies, and recommendations in regards to leadership practices that Trader Joe’s could implement in order to increase the competitive edge of the establishment.

Trader Joe’s Approach

The goal of any business is to reap the benefits harvested from customer satisfaction. Trader Joe’s takes a simple approach to their employees that foster superior customer service, hold employees accountable and focuses their mission (Bond, 2012). The company understands that in order to have customer satisfaction, you must have job satisfaction. Trader Joe’s has found unique ways to garner a positive work environment, so that their employees are happy and eager to please customers. With this in mind, Trader Joe’s gives employees opportunities to perform various duties throughout their work shift. This is done so that the employee doesn’t get bored with one task and is lively and vibrant when in contact with customers (Bond, 2012). The company is urged to taste and familiarize themselves with products, so that they can better connect with the customer and share their own experiences with regard to the product.

In addition, Trader Joe’s promotes a positive work environment by offering each employee higher pay and benefits. The company offers medical, dental, vision, company paid retirement, paid vacation and 10% discount from the first day of employment to full and part time employee. As a caveat, in response to Obamacare, Trader Joe’s has decided to eliminate health insurance options for its part-time employees, because the company reasons that they can get a sweeter deal under the new low cost options (The Hudson Valley's Business Weekly, 2013). Instead of offering a plethora of affordable options to part time employees, the company plans to simply advance $500 per year