Reference no: EM132166519

Please reply to each of the discussion posts in your own words:

Discussion 1:

We already know that Vitamin Shoppe has extensive ongoing training for their employees to ensure they are always up to date on the latest and greatest products. It’s important for them to continue doing this, even for employees who have worked there a while because there might be product updates and it’s good to have refresher trainings now and then. Since the idea of training isn’t exactly new, the new or “special” resources that the organization will need would be some form of updated training. Maybe just general training session aren’t enough. There could be a more extensive conference-style training that goes really deep into the products and company values. This would incorporate the use of other resources such as time (to plan, organize, and present the training), money and facilities (if the training is taking place at a large venue to support a good chunk of the employees), and support from the executives to trust that their putting the best trainers in place to pass on new knowledge. These would be acquired by harnessing the right people to plan everything out and manage the facilitation of the training sessions.

This goes right along with the whole idea of organizing and facilitating a multi-day extensive training session. There would need to be a special events team to figure out where to hold the training, how long it’s going to be, to decide what activities should be included, and to plan a cohesive day(s) of events that will have a lasting impact on the employees. The CEO and his board of directors may be the team to lead and ultimately decide that this training is going to happen, but there is likely a training team that would set everything up and do the actually training.

Discussion 2:

The strategy of the Vitamin Shoppe has put a lot of work into caring and supporting every consumer that makes a purchase from this company. Its looked through every different aspect that should be viewed. The Vitamin Shoppe makes sure they have a great cost differentiation, a high product innovation, and a unique experience for everyone. To this company, many things matter to them. A difference in the consumer can make a significant difference to the company. The company not only strives to be the best for consumers but to also be the best company out there. They to try to have best quality products that no other competitor carries. Being a Shoppe like the Vitamin Shoppe, a consumer is getting actual feedback from a person face to face. Each representative is trained to be very knowledgeable and to be able to carry the Vitamin Shoppes reputation. It does require a lot of responsibility but with the strategies that the company offers it helps each employee understand why the company does what it does. Just as Suketu mentioned in session 5 step 3, everyone and everything matters to them: the employees, the consumers, and the company. The company will always seek to make a difference and to be the best they can be.

In the long run, I believe the company will really build its way up to the top. Even though many things are not the way they used to be, I believe this company will still come out with unique and better innovations that will help with the growth and consumers in the long run. With the way this company is going about teaching each employee and consumer, the competitors will not be able to compare to this company. There’s been several times I’ve walked into GNC and they either just try to upsell or sell me a product that I didn’t need. The employees only tried selling me products they were only aware about, which was not much. The Vitamin Shoppe strategizes to give what a consumer wants and needs. It makes sure they give each consumer a unique experience and that they are fully satisfied with everything.

As latest technology is being presented, the company has started to also focus on the bigger advantages. Coming out with new advertising skills helps the company be more noticeable and makes consumers look more into the company. When the company comes out with great deals and promotions consumers can react better to prices and the products the company is selling. Each dollar matters to the company and the consumer. Where a consumer can save, that’s where more purchases are being made. Sending messages through email, social media, or digital advertising pulls a consumer’s attention after searching about a product. It helps make a purchase more convenient when a consumer does not have to search websites to get a better deal. Through technology today, the company does all the vigorous work for you. This works best since many individuals don't have much time to do things due to their schedules.