Bridgestone/Firestone manufactures and sells tires and related products for cars, trucks, buses, tractors, and airplanes. The tires are sold to automakers and consumers through 2,100 stores and many independent dealers. The stores are the vital link to the consumer. Description of Store Manager Responsibilities Summary of Duties Has responsibility for securing maximum sales volume and maximum net profits. Supervises all phases of store operation-selling, merchandise display, service, pricing, inventories, credits and collections, operation, and maintenance. Responsible for the control of all store assets and prevention of merchandise shortages.
Interviews, selects, trains, and supervises all employees; follows their progress and development. Conducts employee meetings and follows closely for satisfactory productivity. Sets sales quotas for employees and follows up for accomplishment. Works with salespeople and personally calls on commercial and dealer accounts. Interprets and explains store operating policies and procedures to subordinates and follows for adherence. Investigates complaints and makes adjustments. Maintains store cleanliness.
A. Human resource administration-30 percent
1. Directly supervises pivotal employees and, through them, the other employees; directs activities, schedules duties and hours of work, and follows up for productivity and sales results. Instructs or directs the instruction of new and present employees in work procedure, results expected, sales quota program, product and price information, and so on, and follows up for adherence to instructions. (Daily)

2. Interviews applicants, obtains formal applications, determines qualifications (using employment questionnaires), and selects best people for open jobs or files applications for future consideration. (Weekly)

3. Determines number of employees needed for profitable store operations, considering individual sales productivity, salary expense, anticipated human resource requirements, and so on. (Monthly)

4. Prepares, plans for, and conducts employee meetings, instructing about new products and policies, developing sales enthusiasm, explaining incentive programs, holding sales demonstrations, and so on. (Semimonthly)

5. Trains and directs the training of new employees, following established training programs for effective utilization, conducting on-the-job training, and supervising training activities for own employees and those being trained for other assignments.

Questions

1. Do you consider the description of the Firestone store manager’s responsibilities important information that the raters of managers need to be knowledgeable about?

2. Does the portion of the performance evaluation form used at Bridgestone/Firestone require any subjective judgments or considerations on the part of the rater?

3. Suppose that a Bridgestone/Firestone manager received an outstanding performance evaluation. Does this mean that he or she is promotable? Why?