By Satyne Doner, Arts & Culture Editor
On Feb. 15, a van full of Saint Leo University students rolled into the Trader Joe’s parking lot instead of sitting down in their normal afternoon classroom setting.
This field trip mission was spearheaded by Peter Marian, an instructor of management at Saint Leo. His afternoon organizational behavior class had been taking a deep dive into the management styles of different companies, namely Trader Joe’s, and he figured that turning the on-paper case study into a real-life experience would be transformative.
“Instead of us just talking about it [Trader Joe’s], I wanted to bring the students here, live, so they can actually experience what the textbook is talking about,” said Marian. “It’s just a great experience to physically witness it.”
Trader Joe’s, a grocery store chain originating in California, has spread nationwide since its start in the late 1960s. The chain is known for its niche products, friendly staff, and laid-back approach to management. It’s also known for Hawaiian shirts, localized interior design, and that “hometown grocery store” feel.
Trader Joe’s approach is vastly different from traditional models of management, and Marian wanted to give students a chance to experience it in real-life.
“We wanted to look at the organizational behavior of this establishment,” said Marian. “The way the employees interact with customers, the layout of the store, the environment – these are all things that we talk about in the classroom.”
Scott Merino, the Captain of the store (they aren’t called managers), was happy to have students come out and ask him questions. He didn’t find it surprising at all that students studying management would want to come to Trader Joe’s.
“Is it surprising? No,” said Merino. “Trader Joe’s is a little different when it comes to grocery stores.”
Students enjoyed observing the dynamic of Crew Members (employees) and Captains at Trader Joe’s. They were given time to ask questions, take pictures, and even shop if they wanted to. They truly enjoyed the trip and felt like they got a lot out of it.
Desiree Vera, a student in Marian’s class and a junior majoring in social work, appreciated the hands-on approach to organizational behavior and analyzing case studies.
“I feel like this is a very interactive class,” said Vera. “It’s important that we’re able to express ourselves and interact with others.”
At the end of the trip, students loaded back into the van with their hands full of Trader Joe’s bags. Conversations were sparked regarding the unique management style of the company; it’s a conversation that will go so much further than just pages in a textbook, thanks to the field trip.
