Pret a Manger’s Use of the Rational Goal Model

Introduction

Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, Pret a Manger is a fast-food company operating in many parts of the world. The company’s philosophy of ‘make it ready’ derived from the name ‘Pret’ is responsible for its success since its establishment in 1986. Sandwiches and coffee are among the wide range of products supplied by the company. Indeed, proper management of its operations through the utilization of the Rational Goal Model has been responsible for the capability sustaining high-quality products to lure customers. The paper points out where Pret uses features of the Rational Goal Model and how the company benefits.

Where Pret a Manger Uses Features of the Rational Goal Model

Pret implements well-laid down procedures to sustain high-quality standards for its products. In fulfilling its objectives, the enterprise trains its staff to ensure they internalize with the specific methods applied in operations. For example, Pret hires persons with prior knowledge and experience in the preparation of sandwiches but guides them to ensure they use the unique methods of the corporation (Pret a Manger 2019).  The idea is a demonstration of the aspect of ‘systematic work methods’ in the Rational Goal Model. Hence, Pret employs the Rational Goal Model through the use of clear procedures, in the accomplishment of tasks.

Additionally, Pret a Manger adapts well to local flavors in every market niche but maintains the quality levels to enable high experience in consumers. The diversification strategy of the company aims to suit the diverse needs of consumers. For example, the organization has separate menus or restaurants for vegetarians (Pret a Manger 2019). The maintenance of the same quality levels in the designation of products in each restaurant shows adherence to “same standards followed in every shop’ suggested by the Rational Goal Model. Therefore, in the designation of products and services, Pret implements the same standards in every cafeteria to comply with the Rational Goal Model.

Moreover, the company uses definite procedures and work methods in producing its food and beverages. To enable consumers to understand the products well, the company shares the recipes used in the preparation of the foods and beverages. Currently, the internet provides an avenue for demonstrating the steps taken to prepare every product (Bowie, Buttle, Brookes, & Mariussen 2016). In this regard, the entity writes down the steps in preparing foods and follows them strictly in the preparation, which is an aspect of the Rational Goal Model. Hence, Pret employs the Rational Goal Model because it writes down and strictly follows the steps in the preparation of foods.

Lastly, Pret has excellent training programs to impart specific skills and behavioral traits in employees, which is an important aspect of the Rational Goal Model. The organization trains new employees to ensure they internalize with the work procedures and philosophies that drive the company’s mission. The company, as mentioned by Moore (2015), offers leadership training to team leaders and nurtures individuals to serve in top management posts. The entity also supports workers to achieve their career objectives by aligning training and job assignments to employees’ career interests and fields of specialization. Therefore, training is an important aspect of the Rational Goal Model implemented by Pret, which manifests in the manner it builds the workforce to push for the business’s agenda.

The Extent of the Use of the Rational Goal Model Benefits the Company

The use of the Rational Goal Model has enabled the organization to survive and sustain its competitiveness leading to massive transformation to acquire global recognition in the fast-food market. Appropriate training has enabled the organization to maintain a team of highly motivated workers capable of driving the growth agenda (Moore 2015). The constant introduction of new flavors to satisfy consumers’ needs precisely enables Pret to win the feelings of buyers to earn a competitive advantage. Hence, the Rational Goal Model is contributing to the growth of the company through high competitiveness.

In another way, Pret has built a unified workforce geared towards the organizational agenda. The use of definite working methods and procedures sets clear guidelines to workers regarding what the company needs and the strategic goals set to be achieved within a specific time. The idea establishes the right pace in the accomplishment of tasks and eliminates confusion or duplication of roles, which also increases efficiency in the execution of tasks (Pret a Manger, 2019). Through clear and challenging targets, Pret has grown its coffee market each year from twelve cups per day in 1987 to the current one and a half million cups a day. Therefore, the Rational Goal Model has been a catalyst for unity and high performance in the company leading to rapid transformation.

Similarly, writing down the steps for performing various tasks has enabled the company to sustain outstanding standards through the elimination of errors. The recipes for the preparation of sandwiches ensures that baristas maintain the quality aspects, minimal mistakes, and systematic way of cooking to meet consumers’ expectations. Buyers can also follow-up and understand the products effectively, which translates to greater consumer loyalty to support the growth agenda of the firm (Bowie, Buttle, Brookes, & Mariussen 2016). Hence, writing down the details of each particular process has increased efficiency, minimized wastes, and attracted buyers to make Pret the supplier of choice.

Lastly, the use of similar standards in each shop has empowered Pret to preserve its business mission of providing quality products to all consumers. Although it has contributed to rigidity by forcing the company to respond slowly to local needs in foreign markets, the practice has allowed Pret to build a strong brand (Pret a Manger, 2019). Marketing practices that succeeded in some markets are utilized to tame other markets to ease market penetration. Hence, the use of the same standards is protecting the business mission of the corporation.

Conclusion

The analysis shows that Pret a Manger continues to implement the Rational Goal Model, which has contributed to its growth. The model has enabled Pret to maintain high motivation in workers and maintain quality standards in the products. Innovation and rapid market penetration have also been enabled through training and utilization of the same standards in all restaurants. Indeed, the use of the Rational Goal Model has led to high competitiveness leading to rapid transformation. 

Bibliography

• Bowie, D., Buttle, F., Brookes, M. and Mariussen, A., 2016, Hospitality marketing, Abingdon: Routledge.
• Moore, P. 2015, Pret a Manger – Behind the Scenes at the ‘Happy Factory,’ Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2015/apr/14/pret-a-manger-happy-coffee-chain. Accessed 4 November 2019.
• Pret a Manger, 2019, A Potted History of Pret, Available at: https://www.pret.co.uk/en-gb/about-pret. Accessed 4 November 2019.