Running head: OVERVIEW OF MANAGEMENT: KUDLER FINE FOODS
Overview of Management: Kudler Fine Foods
University of Phoenix
MBA 502 Managing the Business Enterprise
Prof. Robert Foley
January 14, 2008
Kudler Fine Foods
Kudler Fine Foods (KFF), a gourmet specialty food store, founded by Kathy Kudler. The La Jolla, California store opened in June of 1998 was a successful first year of operation. Since then, there have been an additional two stores brought on line, operating in Del Mar, 2000 and Encinitas, 2003. The stores offer a variety of foods and wines. There is an in-house European Style bakery, different varieties of meats and seafood, produce, 250 varieties of cheese from 21 different countries, along with both domestic and import wines from around the world.
KFF has been successful in each store due to the implementation of the primary management functions. KFF must continue to reply upon the expertise of the management team to avoid being replaced by new entrants into the business. The threat of new competitors must be defeated at every turn within the KFF organization. The following analysis will depict the intertwining of the three levels of management and the information technology capabilities to maintain and excel KFF’s position within the business.
Primary Functions of Management
There are three levels of management: top level managers (strategic), mid-level managers (tactical) and low level managers (operational) which coincide with the four primary functions of management. Each of the three levels has its own role to continually progress the business’s position within the industry. Each level must be lead by an individual(s) with the necessary competencies to execute.
At the strategic level, the primary function which correlates is planning and strategizing. The planning function assesses the management environment to set future objectives and map out activities necessary to...