How Target is involved in its’ communities December 1, 2008

To support their mission Target is guided by their commitment to great value, the community,

diversity, and the environment.

 

To begin with, Target gives $2 million every week to schools. Target plays an active role in

supporting education, especially early childhood reading.

 

Target sponsors programs, exhibits, and performances that support artistic and cultural

experiences. To enhance the communities Target serves, they are committed to preventing

family violence, disaster preparedness, and relief services.

 

To support these claims of theirs: Target has donated over $200 million through their Take

Charge of Education Program. Target also provides books for doctors and nurses to provide

their patients through their Reach out and Read program.

 

Every Thursday and Friday at the Art Institute in Chicago, there are free lectures and

workshops from 5-9p.m. compliments of Target. In 2005 Target received the Corporate

Citizenship in the Arts Award from Americans for the Arts.

 

Target House provides free, full-equipped two- bedroom apartments for patients receiving

treatment at St. Jude Children’s Hospital for 90 days or more.

 

Target has also teamed up with the National Association of Town Watch/National Night Out.

This helps promote safer neighborhoods. The other companies or organizations that Target

has teamed up with are: National Domestic Violence Hotline, Prevent Child Abuse America,

American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Target.com, (n.d.). Retrieved Nov. 30, 2008, from http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031765

 

 

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/5rfmt5

One crisis Target has faced, and how they dealt with it December 1, 2008

Target hasn’t really faced too many crises, and if they had they have covered them up well.

The one crisis I did find however was a lawsuit filed in February 2006 against Target Corp.

by Bruce F. Sexton Jr. and the National Federation of the Blind. The

suit alleged that Target’s website was not accessible to people with disabilities using screen

access technology.  Screen access technology converts documents and web pages into

synthesized speech or Braille. Target had not taken the necessary steps to make their website

compatible with these codes.

 

Target has agreed to a $6 million settlement with the NFB. As a part of the settlement

Target will establish a $6 million fund from which plaintiffs can make claims. Also

Target agreed to update their website to accommodate sight impaired online-consumers,

and to let the NFB regularly check those changes that have been made. Marc Maurer, the

President of the NFB said in a statement “We are pleased that Target has already taken

action to make certain the website is accessible for everyone.” Steve Eastman, President of

Target.com said “we have made significant enhancements to provide a pleasurable shopping

experience for everyone.”

 

Overall Target handled the crisis exactly as they should have; they took it with a grain of salt

and immediately took action to improved the problem, they apologized and moved on.

 

Disibility Rights Advocates, (2006, Feb. 06). Message posted to http://www.dralegal.org/cases/private_business/nfb_v_target.php

Havenstein, H. (2008, Aug. 28). Target agrees to $6M settlement of accessibility lawsuit. Computer World, Retrieved Nov. 30, 2008, from http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9113750

 

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/656xou

Based on my research on Target, I am more likely to want to work for the company December 1, 2008

Considering I have already worked for Target and loved it, the research I have done on the

company has just expanded my knowledge and admiration for them. I worked for Target when

I was in high school as a sales floor associate, cashier, and operator. The more research I did on

the company the more I found that they are dedicated to giving; whether it be to their guests or

the community they serve.

 

One thing that disappointed me was the fact they don’t have any careers opportunities directly

related to PR. There are careers somewhat related to PR though in marketing, advertising, and

human resources. I love the fact that Target has diversity among their employees and that 57%

of professional positions were held by women in 2007.

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/6kaujz

Career opportunities within Target, relating to PR December 1, 2008

Depending on your area of interest, Target has a variety of career opportunities, although I

couldn’t specifically find any PR related careers I did find these:

 

For experienced professionals available jobs:

-          Human Resources

o   Manager

o   Partner

o   Consultant

-          Marketing/Advertising

o   Director Assistant

o   Creative Manager

o   Marketing Planning Manager

o   Specialist Interactive Developer

o   Senior Packaging Engineer

o   Senior Manager Strategy

o   Team Assistant

 

 

For College Students/Graduates available jobs:

-          Human Resources

o   MBA Consultant

-          Marketing/Advertising

o   Strategy Lead

Target.com, (n.d.). Message posted to

           http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-030796

 

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/5qzred

A critique of Target’s online newsroom December 1, 2008

Target has an online pressroom that allows people to stay connected through the latest press

releases, brands, and products. The pressroom seems to have a bit of everything from media

contacts, images, media FAQ’s, e-mail alerts, product recalls, investor news and search place

to find exactly what you need. On the pressroom page you have the option to get RSS feeds

to stay up to date with Target’s headlines.

 

Overall I would say Target is above par in their pressroom, they offer a bit of everything and if

you don’t see what you are looking for on their page you can contact them for an answer or a

suggestion on how they can accommodate your needs.

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/567957

An analysis of how Target uses and benefits from (or could benefit from) the groundswell December 1, 2008

Target uses ‘listening to groundswell’. Target listens to their guest’s comments aka customers by

using guest’s comments or complaints and putting them to good use. This is also considered

market research within a company. People are paid to listen to the guest’s comments, and as a

result Target has a huge amount of returning guests.

 

Target also uses ‘energizing’. Target generally has a positive flow through word of mouth.

 

 

Target could benefit from using ‘talking with groundswell’. Target could benefit from engaging

in more social media. Possibly posting a viral video, engaging in social networks, or joining the

blogosphere. This type of exposure could benefit Target because it will reach a broader range of people.

Li, C. & Bernoff, J. (2008). groundswell. Boston, MA: Forrester Research.

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/6abssk 

Target’s awards & honors, and how they use them to promote the company December 1, 2008

 

1946- the Dayton Company’s bylaws establish the practice of giving 5% of pretax profits to the community. It is only the second American company to establish that.

1970- Target Recognizes the very first Earth Day and supports volunteers who plant trees and clean parks.

1983- President Reagan awards the Dayton Hudson Foundation with the President’s Committee on the Arts & Humanities Medal of Honor.

1989- Target Sponsors Will Steger and The Trans-Antarctica Expedition to call attention to environmental issues.

1997- The Target Good Neighbor Volunteers Program, now called Target Volunteers receives the President’s Service Award from President Clinton. This is the highest national honor given for corporate volunteer efforts.

2001- Target launches a partnership with America’s Second Harvest- The Nation’s Food Bank, which donates overstock grocery items.

2003- Forbes names Target “One of the most philanthropic companies.”

2004- Salute to Greatness Award given by The King Center in Atlanta, Ga.

2005- Target donates more than 3.3 million pounds of food equaling 2.6 million meals to those in need.

2005- Target begins giving $2 million each week to the communities it serves.

2005- Named one of the Top 30 companies for executive women by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE).

2005- Keep America Beautiful Awards Target with 1^st place National Award for Waste Reduction.

2005- Forbes ranks Target ‘Most Charitable Company.

2005- Barron’s Magazine ranks Target 6^th “Most Respected Company.”

2006- DiversityBusiness.com ranks Target in the Top 50 corporations for supplier diversity.

2007- 25 year commitment recognition

2007-Ethisphere Council ranks Target “One of the World’s Most Ethical Companies.”

2007- Universum Communications ranks Target in the Top 10 “Ideal Employers.”

2008- Fortune ranks Target 11^th for “America’s Most Admired Companies.”

2008- Business Week ranks Target “One of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.”

 

Target continues to gain many awards and achievements because they put community first. Target is dedicated to giving back to schools by using success due to their REDcard. Target also is known for valuing their employees through diversity.

 

Target Corporation, (2008, June 24). Message posted to

           http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031696

 

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/6obxtn

Top challenge facing Target (including the financial market) December 1, 2008

Target hasn’t necessarily taken a huge hit comparatively speaking to other companies during our

countries financial crisis. Although the Target Corporation sales are down about 0.7%.

 

“Sales for the month of October were very disappointing, with continued 

volatility in daily results,” said Gregg Steinhafel, president and chief executive

officer of Target Corporation. “We expect the recent challenging sales

environment to continue into the holiday season and beyond as a result of

the economic factors currently affecting consumer spending.”

 

Hulbert, J. (2008, Nov. 06). Message posted to

           http://investors.target.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=65828&p=irolnewsArticle&ID=1223142&highlight

 

Subsidiaries of Target December 1, 2008

Target owns many subsidiaries which include Target Financial Services (TFS), this

subsidary  issues Target credit cards, Visa’s, and REDcard, etc. Target Sourcing

Services/ The Associated Merchandising Corporation (TSS/AMC). This Corporation

is responsible for locating Target’s merchandise and importing it to the U.S. Target Commercial

Interiors provides design services and furniture for office space. Target Brands owns and

oversees Target’s private brands like Archer Farms, Market Pantry, Sutton & Dodge,

Tru tech and Bullseye Dog trademark. Target.com is the company’s e-commerce.

Target Corporation, (n.d.). Retrieved n.d., from

          http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-030798

 

photo credits: http://tinyurl.com/58tppb,  http://tinyurl.com/5ccm3h , http://tinyurl.com/5h4rsm

Based on Grunig & Hunt’s models of PR, which model is Target using? How? December 1, 2008

Target uses the two-way symmetric model. This approach by James Grunig and Todd Hunt will

most likely create a win-win outcome. This approach means the PR practitioner for the company

in this case Target, will conduct research to determine the views of a particular constituency and

then uses the information to help achieve the objectives of both the client organization and the

constituency.

 

This approach helps to address ethical questions by looking at the interests of both the client

organization and its clientele. Target uses this approach to please their guests and meet their own

needs as well.

 

Doorley, J. & Garcia, H. F. (2007). Reputation Management. In Media Relations (p. 67-101).

           New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group.

 

photo credit: http://tinyurl.com/6mx4u9