A Case Study Analysis

1. A Case Study Analysis Business Team 6 Tim Neverkovec Julia Hernandez Jessica Reta Phillip Gore

2. History Archer Daniel’s was founded in 1947 by Archibald Daniels and Donald Archer in Altenburg, Missouri. It incorporated in 1948 as Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company when John Midland, a steel tycoon, was made a partner after he became fascinated with Daniels’ and Archer’s idea of a retail store during the economic boom after World War II. They company is currently headquartered in Altenburg, Missouri and has established more than 300 stores. Archer Daniels Midland

3. Development & Growth Archer Daniels Midland • Since becoming Archer Daniels Midland Company in 1948, they have succeeded in becoming the front runner in serving suburban markets • Through their commitment to provide quality customer service and products, they have been able to establish themselves as one of the most admired and successful companies. • Apart from their 300 chain stores, they have expanded their services and their number of locations through recent acquisitions. • Since the height of the technological takeover of the 1980s, technology has played a large part of ADM’s business strategy helping them stimulate local economic growth by purchasing communications equipment from local vendors • Due to their constant use of technology to help their business strategy, they have been able to significantly increase their inventory over the years. • This has also helped them remain competitive in the marketplace.

4. Vision Archer Daniels Midland • The vision of Archer Daniels Midland has always been to create a better everyday life for its customers. They envisioned that their clientele would frequent their establishment not because of the low cost of their quality products, but because of sentimental bonds created between ADM and their customers.

5. Mission Archer Daniels Midland • Archer Daniels Midland’s mission is to provide the highest quality products and the best service at the lowest cost of ownership.

6. Goals • ADM’s goals are categorized in three different ways: Customer service, public service, and international expansion • Customer Service: • ADM has succeeded in becoming a reputable company due to their close relationships with their customers and their success at marketing themselves to potential customers • Public Service • One of ADM’s successes include partnering with local vendors to stimulate local economic growth as well as keeping the public in mind with grants and charities. • International Expansion • After successful business in Canada the company plans to expand and establish new markets within the European and Asian sector. Archer Daniels Midland

7. SWOT Analysis

8. Nature of ADM’s Communication Challenge Archer Daniels Midland • Company policy dictates the use of local vendors • Organizational growth has exceeded the capabilities of existing communication equipment, most notably, the company’s item tracker, the T-100 • Current local vendors do not provide the more modern upgraded T-1000 item tracker • Communication issues are at the root of our recent losses • These issues are affecting all four of our major departments; sales, operations, distribution, and customer service

9. Technology’s Affect on ADMDepartments

10. Product Comparison

11. Archer Daniels Midland Technology’s Role in the Communication Challenge • Three week transition period requiring manual entry • Losses from transition will be short term • Projections for a successful transition include record breaking expectations for company profits • Funds from expected 24% profit gain can be used by other departments to make additional purchases from local vendors resulting in an actual increase in ADM’s contribution to the local marketplace

12. Proposed Solution Create an exception to current company policy that will allow us to utilize an international communications vendor that can provide the products necessary to support the increased level of inventory our expanding business requires. Upgrade our communications network by purchasing the T-1000 item tracker and related software suite. Modify company standard operating procedures to account for effective changes made by incorporating an upgraded item tracker into our organization's communication network. Create and implement a training program to ensure full integration occurs in accordance with predetermined benchmarks Stay on course with organizational goals and continue global expansion. Continue to partner with vendors to ensure technological updates are made in conjunction with our company’s growth. Archer Daniels Midland

13. Proposed Solution Archer Daniels Midland 1) Create Exception To Current Policy 2) Purchase T-1000 3) Create New Standard Operating Procedures 4) Train Staff 5) Global Expansion 6) Partner with Vendors

14. Conclusion • ADM can no longer afford to operate with substandard equipment. If we continue to employ the use of the T-100; the losses incurred by our communications network will be incalculable. These losses will jeopardize the financial strength of our company, leaving overseas expansion doubtful. While ADM has a proud history of supporting the local economy by utilizing local vendors, the company must make an exception to policy in order to resolve this communication problem. This is the only way ADM can continue to fulfill its mission of providing first-rate service to our customers at affordable costs, while simultaneously achieving our organizational goal of international expansion. Archer Daniels Midland

15. Conclusion Archer Daniels Midland

16. Archer Daniels Midland Works Cited Archer Daniels Midland, (2012). Retrieved July 25, 2012, from http://www.adm.com Thill, John V. & Courtland L. Bovee. (2012) Excellence in Business Communication, Ninth Edition Untitled images retrieved from www.adm.com and the Microsoft Clip Art Gallery

17. A Case Study Analysis Business Team 6 Tim Neverkovek Julia Hernandez Jessica Reta Phillip Gore