Question

Case Study
Goodwill industries International has been an advocate of diversity for over 100years. In 1902, in Boston, Massachusetts, a young missionary set up a small operation enlisting struggling immigrants in his parish to clean and repair clothing and goods to later sell. This provided workers with the opportunity for basic education and language training. His philosophy was to provide a "hand up", not a "hand out".Although today you can find retail stores in over 2300 locations worldwide, and in 2009 more than 64 million people in the United States and Canada donated to Goodwill, the organisation has maintained its core mission to respect the dignity ofk individuals by eliminating barriers to opportunity through the power of work. Goodwill accomplishes this goal, in part, by putting 84% of its revenue back into programs to provide employment, which in 2008 amounted to $3.23 billion. As a result of these programs,every 42 seconds of every business day,someone gets a job and is one step closer to achieving economic stability.
Goodwill is a pioneer of social enterprise and has managed to build a culture of respect through its diversity programs. If you walk into a local Goodwill retail store you are likely to see employees from all walks of life,including differences in gender and race, physical ability, sexual orientation, and age. Goodwill provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, lack of education, or lack of job experience. The company has created programs for individuals with criminal backgrounds who might otherwise be unable to find employment,including basic work skill development,job placement assistance, and life skills. In 2008, more than 172,000 people obtained employment, earning $2.3 billion in wages and gaining tools to be productive members of their community.
Goodwill has established diversity as an organizational norm,and as a result, employees are comfortable addressing issues of stereotyping and discrimination. In an organization of individuals with such wide ranging backgrounds, it is not surprising that there are a wide range of values and beliefs. Management and operations are decentralized within the organization with 166 independent community based Goodwill stores. These regional businesses are independent, not for profit human services organizations. Despite its decentralized, the company has managed to maintain its core values. Seattle's Goodwill is focused on helping the city's large immigrant population and those individuals without basic education and English language skills. And at Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, the organization recently invested in custom software to balance daily sales at stores to streamline operations so managers can spend less time on paperwork and more time managing employees. Part of Goodwill's success over the years can be attributed to its ability to innovate. As technology evolves and such skills became necessary for most jobs,Goodwill has developed training programs to ensure that individuals are fully equipped to be productive members of the workforce, and in 2008 Goodwill was able to provide 1.5million people with career services. As an organization, Goodwill itself has entered into the digital age. You can now find Goodwill on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Goodwill's business practices encompass the values of the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. The organization is taking advantage of new green initiatives and pursuing opportunities for sustainability.
For example, at the beginning of 2010, Goodwill received a $7.3 million grant from the US Department of Labor, which will provide funds to prepare individuals to enter the rapidly growing green industry of their choice. Oregon's Goodwill Industries has partnered with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and its Oregon E-Cycles program to prevent the improper disposal of electronics. Goodwill discovered long ago that diversity is an advantage rather than a hindrance.
Discussion Questions
1. How might the implications of the Planning framework differ for an organization like Goodwill Industries versus the firm like Starbucks?
2. Why do you think that Goodwill believes it necessary to continually innovate?

Answer 1

1) Planning framework will be differ as per the related scope and operations of the business. Goodwill has business ambitions to serve the society to a great extent hence it has developed a mutual satisfying model with its global stakeholders to run it's not for profit human services organization.

Whereas, Starbucks has global operations for its quality and affordable coffee products and restaurants services. It has aimed to reduce the cost of its store operations through strategic business planning. Goodwill is adopting sustainable manner of business expansion and avoiding any non-huminitarian tasks. It is promoting human beings and their natural rights to consumer healthy goods.

2) Goodwill well known to the fact that innovation will make itself competitive and more aggressive in business development against the industry level cut throat competition. It is working to strengthen its value chain activities with green and innovative solutions. It is working directly to serve the community and its members for green and healthy life. It has increased its operations in each business segments with profit less misson and vision statements.