Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Case Notes
Chapter 8: Motivation: Core Concepts
Case 8.1: Vision Boards at Lululemon
Case Description
Vision boards are Lululemon’s means of empowering employees to understand their SMART
personal and professional goals. This case details the effects these workshops have had on
employee satisfaction and forces students to think about what they would put in a vision board
they created themselves. Even a concept as appealing as vision boards will run into speed bumps
as it is implemented within a company. This case forces readers to think about how to best
Learning Objectives:
8.1: Identify and discuss the three parts of the motivation process.
8.2: Compare and contrast Maslow’s hierarchy with McClelland’s needs theory.
8.3: Produce an example of a SMART goal.
Question & Answers
1. Do you think that the vision boards are important to Lululemon’s business success?
Explain why or why not. What are some of the benefits of Lululemon’s focus on personal
development of its associates?
Ans: I do think that the vision boards are more important to Lululemon’s business success, but
not for the reason someone might expect. I think about it in terms of employee retention. At
many companies there are scores of people who do not enjoy their job. They come in, clock out,
Student Resource
Scandura, Essentials of Organizational Behavior, 3e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
2. Do some research and locate photos of vision boards. Do you find them inspiring?
Ans: I do find them inspiring. I can see where vision boards can play a role in not only building
relationships at a company, but also within a relationship, of group of friends, or a family. It
3. Do you think the creation of vison boards would work for other retailers? Other
companies in general? Why or why not?
Ans: I do not think that the creation of vision boards will work for every company, retailer or
not. Motivation at Lululemon stems from personal growth whereas at other companies it is tied
more closely to compensation, for example. Vision boards at Goldman Sachs would most
4. What is your opinion regarding employees being required to attend personal
development workshops and create vision boards?
Ans: I am unsure about it. People attending these workshops due to an expectation that everyone
Note:
In this guide, some suggested answers are provided. Most of these questions are there to make
students think and interrelate concepts from the current and previous chapters and, hopefully, to