Case Study Analysis
Majida Ismaili Alaoui
COMM/215
November 25, 2012
Gretchen Treadwell

The peer review process is a positive asset, and neutral tool. The benefit of the review, allowed me to pinpoint my weaknesses, and reinforce my strength in writing. The objectivity of the review, made me feel comfortable, and allow me to take the criticism from its positive side, therefore I will make a serious effort to rectify my mistakes and take in consideration my peers feedback. My reaction to the peers’ comments was positive as it helped me see the reader perspective to my work, which is a reflective mirror. In consequences, I reflected on the message I intended to send through this case analysis study. The peer review comments helped me mostly in accepting and to be open to other’s suggestions and feedback. Another positive aspect of this exercise is also acquiring the possibility to read and reflect on my peers work also and learn from their strength and weaknesses, so it is beneficial in both ways. The least helpful aspect in this review is that I wished that my peers gave me more palpable examples regarding what I should avoid and what I should reinforce.
Carl the new campus recruiter for ABC, Inc., has promised Monica, the operations supervisor that he will deliver 15 new hires by June 15. Assuming that the process of hiring is as simple as he made it sound. These employees, according to Carl will be ready and capable to fulfill the company’s orientations. Carl is unrealistic and unprepared about his plan, as he found that he would not be able to deliver what he has promised. Principally because the candidate he hired were not properly screened for drug tests, nor completed their applications and their transcripts were not on file. This clearly demonstrates Carl’s lack of management skills. Carl is overly confident that everything will fall in place as he solely declared. To make matters worst, Carl has not coordinated an effort with the administration, and the IT department to reserve the room for the training of these new hires on June 15. Carl showed an extreme lack of follow-up and organization.
Carl has three main issues that could put his credibility at risk as a new hiree himself. The first issue is that Carl has taken the initiative to hire 15 people in a short period. He should have taken more time in familiarizing himself with the company policy and its hiring procedure, instead of stepping in by overpromising Monica that these new hires will be operational by July. The second issue is that Carl missed a fundamental part of the completion of the hiring process. The applicants’ files were not complete. The third issue is that the IT department has reserved the room; he presumed would be for the training orientation for the new employees.
The company downfalls consist of on delegating a huge responsibility to a new manager to hire a certain number of employees. The company should have run a background check and searched through references about the abilities and the managerial skills of Carl. It is also evident that ABC, Inc., lack organization. A big company like ABC cannot afford pages missing in its manual, which systematically affect its image and reputation. A deeper view to this issue it could mean also that there are no rules to follow, if the guide of the company is not complete. An employee or manager, when confused, refer to the manual of the company, and return to when they do not have an answer to the guidelines that he or she needs to respect and not to crossover. The company’s integrity is another issue that its CEO needs to address in a meeting. A lack of communication and follow up between its team members is clearly illustrated. Monica, Joe, and Carl seemed disconnect, as if they were working independently. They needed to be more involved and working together to preserve the interest of the company, therefore its image, and reputation in the market world. In this particular case, Carl needed to ask for assistance, instead of taking the task by himself without alerting his team members. Monica, instead of contacting Carl, she should have scheduled a meeting with him, to find out where is he at and what kind of insight she can contribute to finalize the hiring process. Joe in his turn should have alerted and communicated with the team members, not only by putting in the schedule that he would be occupying the training room for the whole month, for computer orientations. Assuming that everyone in the team will check the schedule.
After identifying the problems and the issues surrounding them. Carl has to focus on the solutions, and their implementations. Carl has to schedule a meeting with Monica and Joe, to discuss alternatives to this dead end. The purpose of the interview is recognizing that he fails to ask for assistance, thinking he can bring the company to higher level by himself. Carl needs to apologize for his overconfidence and haughtiness that may have cost the company money, time, and its reputation. Carl has already explored the alternative option of using a room in an off campus facility he knew he had to be very persuasive, and convince the IT department head to accept his proposal. Prior to this meeting with Monica and Joe, Carl had already done the following: While reviewing his options and weighing in on possible direction, he would take to provide a proper solution to Monica for the orientation session. Carl explored two options before coming to a final decision on room selection for the orientation session. He contacted three different companies and obtained quotes from each of them. The quotes, which Carl received, caused the cost of the project to exceed the company allocated budgets. The least expensive “off campus” solution was still too costly to proceed. Carl took the time to explore alternative options to this phase of the project, he knew he had to press the envelope with his coworker (IT department head) and ask persuasively for the room on campus. He can delegate to Monica to go through the manuals, make enough copies for immediate use, and future reference. Monica as the supervisor of operations, her seniority and experience, grant her the skills and the ability to refresh the company manuals and guidelines, following the company etiquettes and rituals. Then propose to Joe to postpone the computer-training program for two weeks period. Carl can still hold the new employee training as he anticipated. Carl can maintain his proposal by listing the harms and repercussions if this training does not take place. The company needs these new employees to improve its revenue; it will affect most likely the company, and its members. A computer-training program could still take place after two weeks of the time set, without necessary ruining the company daily procedures. Carl in his turn should reschedule a second interview with the new hires. The candidates should conduct a drug-screening test, and complete their files. Once the procedure is complete, they will have access to the manuals and it will be at their disposition a week from the interview. Carl has also to inform his household, that he will be working extra hours in the next coming weeks, to have a total support and understanding for his new situation. A stress can be a huge barrier to accomplish, and fulfill his duties in competent and efficient manners.
Calls decisions to chose this pathway to resolve the problem Carl has caused, rather than postponing the new hiring orientation mitigate the chances of seen as unprofessional company to the new perspective employees. Illustrating a professional conscience and integrity to save the company reputation. Protecting the company’s interest and its revenue. It also demonstrates that Carl is looking for improvement and realizing his mistakes to the other team members. This solution can serve as a lesson to the whole company to communicate promptly and in regular basics every detail concerning the growth and the benefit of the company. Monica and Joe will feel involved and valuable, as he demonstrated by implementing this solution that without their help, expertise, and seniority the process will not be completed. Carl not only found an alternative to the issue but also showed professionalism and preventive and anticipatory skills. As the old quote say “killing two birds with one stone”
The positive aspect of the stated issues above, are the experience that Carl went through. Carl has learned that unity and communication in the job is needed, no matter how one can think that he or she can do the job without interference and assistance of other team members. Asking for assistance is not necessary lack of experience or knowledge, but it is to reinforce the knowledge and prevent damages to happen. Another aspect is that Carl fortunately evaluated the downfalls before they occur, therefore they can be improved and resolved. Carl will be more attentive and vigilant to details. He also pinpoints unintentionally to himself his weakness and his lack of skills that he needs to polish and improve in his management career.
In consequences, the problem is not always a problem, when looking at the positive side of it. Panicking or stressing does not resolve the problem, yet it makes worst. Therefore, experience comes with practice. Practice involves mistakes and failures. A failure is considered one if it gets repeated and persisting and blaming the others. Taking responsibility is the key to success because when an individual blames his or her shortcomings on the other it basically means giving up the power to change. Carl is a new campus manager who learned through this experience, leadership skills as a positive asset to reinforce his position in ABC, Inc. He gained respect and trust from his team members, preserved his family security, as he was ahead of the process. Therefore, preserved his position and avoided to be fired. Carl managed to resolve the issue, focused on the open door instead of the closed one. He over wins his stress, calmed himself down and approached the issue the right and positive way.
Workplace ambience could be at times stressful and demanding, in particular when one is holding a key or highly ranked position, paying attention to details and following up when implementing a decision is the key to success.

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