Drexler’s World Famous Bar-B-Que Case Study

Abstract
This paper focuses on Drexler’s Bar-B-Que, a family run business that has existed for over 60 years. The paper addresses how values play a role in the success of the business but also delves into how a family business’s values impact operations and success. The effectiveness of the organization is reviewed and discussed related to how a family run business can achieve success but yet not be effective. To drive this point the paper will have research topics from Internet based resources in business related to how family businesses succeed and what the pitfalls are. The paper will also address how Drexler’s business fits into the systems model illustrated in Organizational Behavior and …show more content…

A business driven by strong values, especially a family run business is not always effective. Drexler’s has developed a quality reputation through customer satisfaction. This reputation and delivery on that reputation has allowed Drexler’s to stay in business. Drexler’s is not an effective organization even though the company has stood the test of time. Highly effective and productive organizations in different industries seem to possess and cultivate similar characteristics (Ivancevich, Konopaske, Mattenson, 2008). Drexler’s does not possess all of these characteristics. Drexler’s fails in sharing information with employees. The family barbeque recipe has been a closely guarded secret held only by one person in the organization. One could argue that it is a trade secret and should not be shared, there are elements that could be shared to allow employees and other family members feel empowered. A lack of encouragement of cross development is another factor that affects many small businesses but more so family small businesses. Small businesses tend to rely on the team they have rather than cross train employees so as to create a depth through the company that would survive a key person leaving or passing on. A company’s effectiveness cannot just be judged on whether they stay in business. Effectiveness criteria must reflect the entire input process output cycle, not simply output (Ivancevich, Konopaske, Mattenson, 2008). The reason Drexler’s has survived is because