Critical Issues Management Capstone (Professional Presentation Draft)
Create a PowerPoint presentation that outlines the key elements in your change management plan. You will present your plan as if you are speaking to the senior executives of the company. The material you have researched in regard to change management plan templates can be used to create your plan. Use the speaker notes for the detailed information; the slides should be visual for the intended audience. Your presentation should consist of at least 15 slides in the following format:
Slide 1: Include a title slide (name, date, course code, and project title).
Slide 2: Include a table of contents.
Slide 3: Describe the purpose of the change management plan.
Slide 4: Define the change management plan member structure. (This is the authorizing staff.)
Slide 5: List the issues to address.
Slide 6: List the outcomes to be resolved.
Slides 7–14: Organize each slide based on the individual issues and outcomes you will discuss, and provide examples of each. You may include visual examples, audio, or other media in the slides. Reference all resources applicable for each slide.
Slide 15: List references with corresponding in-text citations.
Speaker Notes: You will provide written information as if you were speaking to your intended audience. This is where you will expand on the bullet points in each slide. You will need to cite any resources you use.
Your draft must contain all of the elements listed above. It should follow APA guidelines and must include at least five scholarly sources. Cite your sources on the slides, in the speaker notes, and on the reference page.
Target Corporation: Addressing Sales Decline, Consumer Confidence, and Organizational Integrity through Change Management
David Susberry
Southern New Hampshire University
MGT-701-10666-M01: Critical Issues Mgmt Capstone
Michelle Caron
June 22, 2025
Target Corporation: Addressing Sales Decline, Consumer Confidence, and Organizational Integrity through Change Management
1. Company Overview and Background
Company Name: Target Corporation
Founded: 1902 (as Dayton Dry Goods Company), rebranded as Target in 1962
Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Industry: Retail
Number of Employees: Approximately 400,000
Annual Revenue: ~$106 billion (2023)
Overview:
Target is one of the largest retailers in the U.S., known for its combination of quality, affordability, and style. The company has built a strong brand identity around inclusivity, customer experience, and innovation in retail, such as early adoption of online shopping and curbside pickup. However, Target now faces a growing set of challenges that threaten its reputation, sales performance, and organizational culture.
2. Summary of the Identified Need for Change
Target is currently grappling with a critical need for organizational reengineering in response to a range of internal and external disruptions. The company has experienced declining sales and consumer backlash stemming from boycotts related to its Pride collection and controversial diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) decisions. These incidents have contributed to a fractured brand identity, as Target attempts to appeal to both progressive and conservative audiences, resulting in mistrust from both sides. Operationally, the company faces significant supply chain and staffing inefficiencies, including challenges in e-commerce logistics, curbside delivery, inventory management, and adequate staffing levels. Internally, morale has suffered due to the rollback of DEI initiatives and a lack of clear communication about the company’s values and expectations. Additionally, a rise in retail theft and safety concerns has led to store closures and financial losses. These issues collectively underscore the urgent need for a holistic reorganization that realigns Target’s operational practices, communication strategy, and brand identity with stakeholder expectations, while ensuring long-term sustainability.
3. Proposed Change Management Initiative
To effectively address these challenges, this change initiative proposes a multifaceted approach centered on organizational renewal and stakeholder alignment. First, Target must undertake a strategic repositioning of its brand identity by clearly and consistently reinforcing its commitment to diversity and inclusion through transparent, values-based messaging. To rebuild trust with consumers, a customer confidence recovery strategy will be implemented, featuring targeted communication campaigns that acknowledge past missteps and articulate the company’s future direction. Operationally, a comprehensive overhaul of supply chain and staffing models is essential, including the integration of AI-enabled inventory systems and enhanced workforce training to improve both e-commerce and in-store efficiency. Internally, employee engagement will be revitalized through the relaunch of meaningful DEI initiatives, inclusive leadership training, and improved internal communication to foster a more connected and motivated workforce. Finally, to address growing safety concerns, the initiative will invest in advanced loss prevention technologies and establish stronger partnerships with local authorities to ensure a secure retail environment for both employees and customers.
4. Desired Outcomes or Goals
The primary objectives of this change initiative are designed to drive sustainable growth and organizational resilience. First, Target aims to restore sales growth by rebuilding consumer trust, which will help increase store traffic and boost quarterly sales performance. A key component of this effort involves reinforcing brand integrity through the development of a clear, value-aligned message that resonates with a broad consumer base while avoiding polarizing public opinion. Operational improvements will focus on enhancing supply chain efficiency by increasing order fulfillment rates and reducing logistics costs through more accurate forecasting and advanced inventory management. Additionally, the initiative seeks to strengthen employee satisfaction and retention by boosting workforce morale and reducing turnover through supportive policies and inclusive workplace practices. Lastly, Target plans to improve loss prevention by reducing retail theft by 15–20% over the next year, leveraging technology-driven security solutions and comprehensive personnel training.
Closing Note:
This proposed change management plan is designed to guide Target through a strategic reorganization that aligns its operations, values, and brand with market demands and internal expectations. By leveraging thoughtful communication, data-driven improvements, and inclusive leadership, Target can recover its competitive edge and reestablish itself as a trusted and future-ready retailer.
References
Escobar, S. (2025, May 30). Target at the Tipping Point: What It Needs to Do Now. Retrieved from barrons.com: https://www.barrons.com/articles/target-stores-stock-price-dei-boycotts-9f3b7b6e
James, D. (2025, June 2). What went wrong at Target? Retrieved from retaildive.com: https://www.retaildive.com/news/target-turnaround-sales-merchandise-problems-consumer-dei-backlash-tariffs/748909/
Meyersohn, N. (2025, May 21). Target’s problems are escalating. Retrieved from cnn.com: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/21/business/target-earnings-dei-tariffs
Sean Sands, C. F. (2025). DEI rollbacks: Consequences and considerations for brand managers. Journal of Business Research.
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