Verified Document

Organizational Case Study -- Nutri Systems Company Essay

Organizational Case Study -- Nutri Systems Company Background - Nutrisystem is an American company that provides weightloss products and services. Originally, the company's sales and marketing model focused on Brick and Mortar stores, in-person counseling and exercise sessions, and the sale of prepackaged supplements and food products retail. In 1999, however, largely due to the number of diets on the market and exhaustive competiton, Nutrisystem began selling online with support through 800#s and email. The company expanded to QVC in 2001 and Costco since 2009 (www.nutrisystem.com).

The foundation of the organization is portion-control and a diet that has a low glycemic index. Separate plans are offered for men and women that support a 1-2#/week loss. All plans have love sugar, cholesterol and sodium and cost from $280-400/week. Users must also purchase additional fresh items locally, but 2009 clinical trials showed that persons with Type-2 diabetes consistently lost more weight and had decreased symptoms after 3 months than the control group (www.nutrisystem.com).

Open Systems Theory in Organizations - OST is an organizational diagnosis model that is used in evaluating an organization in order to determine whether change is desirable. The model considers organizations as social systems which are dependent and affected by the environment in which they exist. Open systems theory has inputs, throughputs (transformation) and outputs and has a feedback loop that connects organizational outputs to renewed inputs (Organizational and Diagnostic Models, 2008). The model is important when an organizational wants to diagnose external variables that affect the business. . The model recognizes that organizations are affected by factors within and outside the business and is used to answer whether there is need to change organizational processes and strategies. Open systems theory is used as an effective method to solve organizational problems. It is also used t develop effective...

To determine whether internal operations are running optimally. An open system will evaluate whether different functions, operations and parts in NutriSystem are aligned well to adapt to internal and external factors. NutriSystem operates in an environment that is highly competitive and is influenced by social, political and economic factors, the model can be used to investigate how the environment influences the company and whether there is need for change.
Diagnosis and Strategy - Organizational diagnosis investigates an organization and provides the differences between 'what is' and 'what should be'. It is therefore essential to strategy because it determines whether the current strategies are effective and can be applied in strategy development (Lowman, 2005). Findings generated from the diagnosis can be used to develop a strategic plan that will address all the issues raised. NutriSystem management can use organizational diagnosis to investigate whether current strategy is appropriate and effective. Organizational diagnosis will determine whether the company's strategy is efficient when dealing with customers and competitors. The management could use OD to analyze its strategy and create an improved strategy when necessary.

Organizational Structure- In simple terms an organizational structure is the way an organization arranges itself. An organizational structure is mainly represented graphically using a chart and most organizations have a hierarchical structure. Organizational structure provides members' duties and responsibilities. The main components of an organizational structure are operation core, strategic apex, support staff and middle line (Naqshabandi, 2011). NutriSystem is headed by the CEO, then followed by CFO, CMO and executive Vice President, operations and finally directs. The structure…

Sources used in this document:
WORKS CITED

Organizational and Diagnostic Models. (2008). Retrieved December 2011, from Leadersphere.com: http://www.leadersphere.com/img/OrgmodelsR2009.pdf

NutriSystem Investment Guide. (2011, December 17). Retrieved from Wikiinvest: http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/NutriSystem_(NTRI)

Liu, Y., & Yang, R. (2008). Competing Loyalty Programs: Impact of Market Saturation. Journal of Marketing, 73(2), 93-100.

Lowman, R. (2005). Importance of Diagnosis in Organization Assessment. Manager Journal, 8(1), 17-28.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Vision Company Background Company Overview Clear Vision
Words: 1094 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Vision Company Background Company Overview Clear Vision is a premier manufacture of cutting edge personal vision solutions. The company's new breakthrough product, Liquid-Drop Contact Lenses, will create an entirely new niche in the eye care industry. The company is headquartered in the U.S. And manufactures their products domestically. The entire production facility is FDA approved and the company produces high quality goods that are all focused on the eye care industry. The

Commerz Bank AG Company Background -- Environmental
Words: 3190 Length: 11 Document Type: Essay

Commerz Bank AG Company background -- Environmental scan -- Strategies and Recommendations -- Implementation plan -- Risk management: Action plan CommerzBank AG -- Valuing Customers The study of CommerzBank AG meta-analyses will provide a critical analysis of how the organization's vision, mission, and people strategies and values statements are aligned with the proposed strategic plan. Keywords like "people strategies" "vision" "values statements" "mission" "strategic plan" "internal environmental analysis" "external environmental analysis" will be used

JetBlue Company Background Organizational Mission Vision Value
Words: 3276 Length: 12 Document Type: Essay

JetBlue Company Background Organizational mission Vision Value statements Environmental scan Review of strategies and a recommendation for the best strategy for the organization Implementation plan Functional tactics Action items Milestones and Deadline Resource allocation Key success factors Budget and forecasted financials Break-even chart Risk management plan Contingency plans for identified risks JetBlue is one of the leading airline carriers in the United States. The airline company has long been at the forefront of ensuring that passengers are exposed to quality service and products. Since the advent of

Apple Company Background Apple: Executive Summary Company
Words: 561 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Apple Company Background Apple: Executive Summary Company Background Vision Statement Although Apple does not explicitly state their vision, it can be assumed from their mission statement and values that its vision for itself is structured in the continuation of its innovations in modern technology. The company has a clear vision for both the present and the future. It envisions being a major force in the technology and entertainment markets. The company now wishes to

Sw Airlines Company Background Southwest
Words: 1448 Length: 4 Document Type: Case Study

In fact, in scanning documents about Southwest, one finds that they have been accused of being insensitive to the issue of larger built passengers. It appears that, at times, SW requires large passengers purchase two seats or not fly. Of course, as with most controversial issues, there are layers of issues surrounding this controversy: are Americans becoming larger? Are SW seats smaller to squeeze more profit into a flight?

Microsoft Company Background Microsoft Is
Words: 1694 Length: 6 Document Type: Research Paper

The gross margin for the company in this quarter was 80.9%, up from the previous quarter and also up significantly year-over-year. The first full quarter of Windows 7 results will the third quarter of fiscal 2010, and the result of that quarter will not be released until April 22, 2010 according to the Microsoft Investor Relations website. Corporate Solution/Action Taken During the development of these two latest iterations of Windows, Microsoft

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now