WinMart Control Systems Overview and Applications môn Principle of Management | Trường Đại học Quốc tế, Đại học Quốc gia Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh

1. Feedforward control
This control system helps Winmart to predict what may go wrong and take action to
avoid it, instead of just reacting after problems have already occurred. For a retail
chain like Winmart, feed forward control can be applied to number of areas:
A. Human resources management:
●Recruitment: Anticipate seasonal demand by hiring in advance to avoid staff shortage.
●Training: Identify competencies required and provide training before performance gaps take place.
B. Setting objectives:
●Goals: Setting goals that are realistic and achievable, considering market trends and sales data.
●KPIs: Establish performance indicators that can indicate potential risks before they escalate.
●Competitor Analysis: Continuously monitor competitors to stay ahead
and adjust objectives accordingly.
C. Planning for potential problems:
●Inventory: Analyze purchasing patterns to stock accordingly and avoid shortage or overstocking.
●Supply Chain: Identify weak points, ensuring alternative suppliers are
aligned to guarantee continuity.
●Finance: Anticipate economic trends and cash flow to proactively manage budgets.
2. Concurrent control
Store Supervision and Spot Checks: Supervisors and managers conduct routine
checks on store operations throughout the day. Implementation: -
Verify cleanliness, product arrangement, and accurate pricing on shelves. -
Ensure staff are following protocols, including customer service standards. -
Resolve in-store issues such as misplaced products, spills, or damaged goods immediately.
Objective Achieved: Promotes operational consistency and a safe shopping environment.
Customer Interaction and Feedback: WinMart monitors the performance of
individual stores using centralized dashboards. Implementation: -
Track daily sales, foot traffic, and peak shopping hours. -
Alert managers to abnormal patterns, such as sudden drops in sales or
unusually high customer complaints.
Objective Achieved: Enables swift responses to operational challenges, ensuring consistent performance.
Quality Control: WinMart conducts routine quality inspections of fresh produce,
meat, seafood, and dairy products throughout the day. Implementation: -
Designated staff members check for visual signs of spoilage, such as
discoloration or texture changes. -
Temperature-sensitive items are monitored to ensure they are stored at the correct temperatures. -
Expired items are promptly removed and replaced with fresh stock.
Objective Achieved: Maintains the freshness and safety of perishable goods, ensuring customer satisfaction.
Daily Operations Control: Store managers and supervisors track sales data
throughout the day to identify trends and address anomalies. Implementation: -
Point-of-Sale (POS) systems provide real-time updates on transactions,
flagging unusual patterns like sudden drops in sales. -
Managers use dashboards to analyze key metrics, such as revenue, peak sales
times, and bestselling products.
Objective Achieved: Identifies and resolves discrepancies quickly, ensuring accurate
financial reporting and operational efficiency.
3. Feedback control A. Customer Feedback Systems:
●Surveys and Reviews: Winmart collects customer feedback through surveys,
social media, and online reviews. This helps the company understand
customers' experiences and identify areas for improvement.
●Product Preferences: Feedback on product preferences, such as stock levels or
product quality, can inform inventory management and product offerings,
ensuring they align with customer demand. 2. Sales Data Analysis:
●Sales Performance Metrics: Winmart likely monitors sales data closely. If
certain products underperform or there is a significant change in customer
buying behavior, the company can adjust its inventory, pricing, or promotions accordingly.
●Demand Fluctuations: They can use sales feedback to adjust the supply chain
and inventory to meet changes in customer demand. For example, during
festive seasons, certain products may experience higher demand, requiring faster restocking. 3. Employee Feedback:
●Staff Input: Feedback from employees about operational inefficiencies,
customer preferences, or inventory challenges can lead to process
improvements. For instance, store managers or staff might suggest changes in
layout or stock organization to improve customer shopping experience.
●Training Needs: Feedback can also highlight areas where staff may need
further training to improve service quality.