Blog #3: Organizational Culture at Market of Choice, Corvallis, OR

This week, I decided to observe the organizational culture at Market of Choice, one of the premiere grocery stores found in Corvallis, OR.

We were asked to observe the culture at a workplace for thirty minutes, and look for five different aspects that help make up culture of an organization. My observations were as follows:

1) Physical structure and layout of the organization:

Even looking at the Market of Choice store from the outside in gives people an idea of the way that they like to run things. Their building is a very impressive mixture of modern design built in with wood and stonework throughout the front entrance, with a very clean and pristine eating area just outside the main doors. As you walk in through the front sliding doors, you are blasted with warm air from above, which in a sense wakes you up and makes you reset all of your senses for your experience in the store. I found this as a ritual of sorts, as it is something that happens upon entering and leaving the store.

The layout of the organization is very much like any modern grocery store you would normally be used to shopping at. There are registers at the front of the store, along with several departments: floral, meat/seafood, dairy, your standard grocery aisles, beer/wine (VERY extensive, easily the best in Corvallis), deli, bakery and a coffee shop. Every department in itself could represent a subculture. Just inside the front entrance, you notice that the bakery, coffee shop and the deli are all combined in one section together. Over by the coffee shop is an impressive sit down eating area complete with a gas fire place that actually gives off heat! I could see this being a very nice place to sit down and eat during a cold winter day. I think that the fire itself is an artifact of Market of Choice in it's own right - giving off warmth and light for those looking to shop there.

2) Decor, furniture, decorations, etc.:

The store's decorations were seasonal, with most departments advertising their seasonal fare. You can tell that Market of Choice values seasonal products, making sure that their shoppers are presented with the best possible choices given the growing and production season. There is also a lot of furniture and decor that give off an earthly and sustainable vibe.

3) Employee attire and manner of self-presentation:

The employees that I observed - mainly a couple of checkers, a courtesy clerk and a store manager / PIC of sorts, were very professionally dressed in a collared dress shirt with the Market of Choice logo embroidered on, and were either wearing dress khakis or pants. Their uniforms were all earthly toned as well. The store manager had a different colored name tag that was clearly labeled with the words manager on it. He also wore a dress tie.

4) General atmosphere/feel of the workplace:

When I purchased a couple of products from one of the checkers, she was very nice and professional. Upon observing her interactions with her coworkers, it gave off the vibe that the atmosphere of the store was laid back, but professional. Everyone seemed engaged in their own activities, but it gave off the feeling that workers were not being rushed to get their jobs done, which is something I've seen in other grocery stores.

5) Communication patterns:

Upon viewing communication between coworkers, I noticed that they were very direct and quick answering each other's questions. I saw a lot of smiles and laughing between coworkers as well, showing that they likely enjoy what they do. The interactions all seemed positive from an outsider's perspective.

http://www.marketofchoice.com/

This is a link to their website, which I think is also a great representation of an artifact of the organization. From the website you can clearly tell that they are committed to giving their customers the best possible products available by season and that they are focused on making their organization healthy and sustainable, as well as the customers that shop there.