ted one years continuous service. To try and improve team-working skills and reduce the 60% staff turnover, McDonalds organise regular nights out and activities for its employees.McDonalds supports its employees through university, giving grants of up to 1500 per year depending on the type of course. It also runs its own Junior Business Management Programme for 18-21 year olds, with a starting salary of 16,500 per year. It also offers its employees the opportunity to become part of the corporation through buying McDirect shares.StandardisationA key feature of the McDonald's model is the manner in which all of their operations are standardised. Production line techniques are implemented in restaurants to achieve the fast preparation of uniform quality products. With a limited menu and patented formulas, the corporation ensures that products remain homogenous over distance and time. The fixtures and fittings of restaurants are largely identical throughout the world, with minor variations to account for cultural differences. The McDonalds model exerts an enormous amount of control over its franchisees and customers, forming the fundamental basis of the business. Employees respond to customers requests with scripted questions, ensuring the fast delivery of service, and same experience time and time again. Control over employees has been increased over the last decade due to technological advancements, such as EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) systems, which eliminates the need for the operator to use arithmetic, or remember prices. Customers are subtly controlled by the uncomfortable seating and standardised menus. This reflects the quantitative aspects of the quick-service food industry, increasing the number of customers by reducing idle time. Standardisation within the McDonalds model is apparent in both the restaurants and their suppliers. Contractors are required to share knowledge of food processing techniques, allowing the...
