Entrepreneurial Case Study of “The Brewster-Seaview Landscaping Company”
BUS 266: Principles of Organization and Management
Saginaw State University

Tuesday Feb. 9, 2016
CASE Study 1
Problem/Issue Statement
1.) What were the major factors that affected productivity in year 2?
2.) Who is to blame for the fall in productivity in year 2?
Executive Summary Joe Brewster who owns his own small private landscaping company in Seaview, New Jersey created a very successful business with a staff that admired him. That is up until year 2 rolled around. The original crew consisted of a younger crowd of five guys ranging from 17 to 20 years old. The work days consisted of six days a week, but once in a while Joe would need his workers to work overtime which was not a problem. With the ownership skills Joe installed, the workers felt a sense of respect and both parties trusted one another. In fact, Joe would read off a list of houses that had to be completed that day, and leave it up to his workers to decide who would do what task and how long they would spend at each house. He had a strong commitment to his work and to his employees, sometimes Joe would work alongside of them six days a week. Another example of Joe’s passion for his business, is that he did not separate himself as the boss, he wore the same clothes and basically did the same work as his employees. The one downfall with that, is the lack of delegation. Even though trusting his employees is a good manager quality to have he trusted them so much that he lacks control by letting them show up fifteen minutes late. Also, by doing the same work as they do he has paperwork, payroll, estimates, and so on that he has to do as well which is an example of lack of delegation. Aside from that, his approach and how he ran his business year 1 was with confidence, positive attitude,