Part Five Video Case 1 The Team Concept 2 Hot Topic: Employees with Passion Hot

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Part Five Video Case 1 The Team Concept 2 Hot Topic: Employees with Passion Hot Topic Incorporated, in various products, such as T-shirts, clothes, and and pop culture with an emphasis on modern located in City of Industry, Califomia, is a Califomia, is a retailer that licensers accessories geared toward alternative employees at Hot Topic is 25 years old. music trends. The Hot Topic Incorporated its Topic and its sister store, Toerid. Hot Topic offers a myriad of cultural items as well as uverage ape of the reaches its customers through its two retail store lines Hot offering moden, trendy clothing catering to plus-size women. The organization has been cited on the "Best Small Companies" and "Best Companies to Work For" lists many times over its 20-plus year history Former CEO Betsy McLaughlin believes that the culture at Hot Topic is based on a passion for a concept. For Hot Topic, that passion is music, and for Toerid, it is fashion. McLaughlin says that the passion for the products and the inspiration behind them is what makes Hot Topic different from many others, and the passion that drives the culture is shared across all levels and positions of the organization. In fact, McLaughlin ims that music inspires not only the products they sell, but also store design and even the people they hire Hot Topic has a unique dously from other organizations. Employees are fiercely loyal to the firm as a resula of the great working environment where they feel they can "fit in" and be appreciated for what they contribute to the organization. One example of how Hot Topic encour- ages fitting in is its "concert reimbursement" program. Employees can attend a concert and bring someone with them, fill out an expense report, and be reimbursed for the cost of their tickets. The only requirement for this benefit is to submit a "fashion re- port." The culture also values collaboration, open communication, and empowerment, and is perpetuated by a lack of walls and doors in the corporate headquarters. Everyone works in one big room and shares space, taking emphasis off hierarchy and promot- ing collaboration and open communication. The employees are supported in risk-taking decisions when taking care of the needs of customers. This gives employees a feeling of inclusion and empowerment to make decisions corporate culture, but structurally does nok differ tremen- Hot Topic has grown from 15 stores just 15 years ago to nearly 800 stores today This provides a ready applicant pool to allow the company to hire for corporate jobs from within-a practice that has the worker bring her or his sense of the corporate culture to the new job. Employees are kept satisfied through such perks as cell phone discounts, on-site massages, fairs, of the month programs. Another interesting and no-cost perk offered to employees is the "9/80" program. This program allows employees to work 80 hours over 9 days- giving them a three-day weekend every other weekend. health fairs, scholarship reimbursement, and "employee Senior executives talk to employees and customers to learn in what direction they want Hot Topic to go. This along with all of the innovative ideas and programs provides Hot Topic with a unique culture that helps keep their employees and customers satisied and loyal. I. What makes Hot Topic so successful as a retailer? What makes them so popular with their employees? How can they keep their success going? Questions for Discussion 2. How does the idea of no walls and no doors in the corporate headquarters encour age the culture Hot Topic is trying to perpetuate? Do you thini you wouldlike to work in such an atmosphere?

Explanation / Answer

1. Hot Topic as a retailer understands their segment of customers and caters their products to only those who can appreciate and like the products that are being sold. Moreover, their passion for music relflects in the stores which inturn attracts their target customers which are the young age customers. Music is something which the youth associates themselves with often and having a theme as music and fashion will always pull them towards their stores. This strategy of catering to a particular segment of customers helps as they are dedicatedly working on a unique theme and developing products which would suit to their segment of customers only.

Hot Topic hires youngsters to serve youngsters. This is their USP. They know how and where they can get innovative ideas. Generally, young people are aware of the latest fashions and trends and are well versed with what the expectations or likings of customers in the market are. If a customer is getting what they want, they would definitely prefer visiting the stores and check out the latest trends and models. This culture of motivating youngsters with employment and that too someone who has a passion for that field is really awesome. I would definitely like to work in an organisation which will help me work on my passion and help me grow in the field where I would want to work.

2. Generally, in corporates there is a culture of hierarichies where top management is seperated from the lower level employees. Very few people would have access to top management wherein most of the low level employees are neglected or are not allowed to put forward their viewpoints. In an organisation like Hot Topic, where its an open culture encouraging all levels of employees to work together and put forth their concerns or ideas or innovations helps in recognising talent easily. People are not refrained from putting forward their point of view which in turn helps them in learning different things.

I would definitely want to work in an organsiation where such cultures exist as it would help me portray my talent in front of several knowledgable delegates. Also, it helps us learn from others which we can implement in our daily work.

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