By: Michael E. Martinez

John Mackey founded Whole Foods Market in 1980 in Austin, Texas. There are some factors that might drive change within Mackey's business. Over the past ten years, this business has turned into an $11 billion company. Increases are expected to top 20 percent for the next several years. The company currently has 135 stores in the United States and Canada; it plans to open 265 more stores by the end 2010.

Because the company is growing so big and so fast, changes may have to be made to accommodate the industry. It seems to me, Mackey is very determined to make his company succeed. He wants to create a better product and value for his customers. I think he's good at steering change based on things he has said such as, "We're highly selective about what we sell, dedicated to stringent quality standards, and committed to sustainable agriculture."

There are ways that Whole Foods Market might benefit from creative thinking among its workers. John Mackey says his company recruits the best people they can to become a part of their team. He likes to let them make their own decisions, and wants people to be treated fairly, and he wants them to be highly motivated as well as creative. John Mackey thinks his employees play a critical role in helping to build his store into a profitable business and make it part of the community.

Whole Foods employees are actively involved in the communities by supporting food banks, sponsoring neighborhood events, and letting team members do their share of community service work. Mackey believes by letting his employees work in a well rounded place and letting them be open to creative ideas helps them and the Whole Foods Market organization.

Recently, Whole Foods Markets announced that it would be the first U.S. company to switch to environmentally friendly wind power. Whole Foods will continue to use standard electric for the remainder of this year, it is expected that they will buy wind energy credits to cover all of its power needs next year.