MEMO
OPTION 1
1. Last year, your company initiated a major effort to improve productivity throughout the company. During the first few months, little improvement was made. Recently, however, major gains, exceeding 20 percent, have been made in both the packaging and equipment repair departments. You would like to commend them for their achievements, and announce to the other departments that gains are possible. You are also aware that some production employees believe that significant gains in productivity means the loss of some jobs because the company will be able to achieve the same output with fewer employees. Another local company laid off 5 percent of its workforce shortly after announcing productivity gains. Nonetheless, you believe that by achieving even modest productivity gains, your company will become more competitive and therefore be able to capture a larger share of the market. You believe that increased demand will more than offset productivity gains, and may even require hiring more employees. Naturally, you cannot guarantee this, although you are optimistic about the chances that this will occur. Write a one-page memo to employees that covers these points.
OPTION 2
2. Assume the role of vice president of manufacturing of Eastern Products, Philadelphia. You are thinking about the forthcoming annual retreat of top-level managers of manufacturing, engineering, marketing, and product design to discuss strategic planning. Competitive pressures from several domestic and foreign companies give this year’s meeting special significance, and you want to arrange for a truly productive session. In the past, some meetings haven’t been as successful as you would have liked. You learned from experience that holding the meeting at corporate headquarters didn’t work because the managers were too accessible to their subordinates. It’s much better if the group can meet away from home territory, allowing them the opportunity to concentrate and develop camaraderie.
1. Last year, your company initiated a major effort to improve productivity throughout the company. During the first few months, little improvement was made. Recently, however, major gains, exceeding 20 percent, have been made in both the packaging and equipment repair departments. You would like to commend them for their achievements, and announce to the other departments that gains are possible. You are also aware that some production employees believe that significant gains in productivity means the loss of some jobs because the company will be able to achieve the same output with fewer employees. Another local company laid off 5 percent of its workforce shortly after announcing productivity gains. Nonetheless, you believe that by achieving even modest productivity gains, your company will become more competitive and therefore be able to capture a larger share of the market. You believe that increased demand will more than offset productivity gains, and may even require hiring more employees. Naturally, you cannot guarantee this, although you are optimistic about the chances that this will occur. Write a one-page memo to employees that covers these points.
OPTION 2
2. Assume the role of vice president of manufacturing of Eastern Products, Philadelphia. You are thinking about the forthcoming annual retreat of top-level managers of manufacturing, engineering, marketing, and product design to discuss strategic planning. Competitive pressures from several domestic and foreign companies give this year’s meeting special significance, and you want to arrange for a truly productive session. In the past, some meetings haven’t been as successful as you would have liked. You learned from experience that holding the meeting at corporate headquarters didn’t work because the managers were too accessible to their subordinates. It’s much better if the group can meet away from home territory, allowing them the opportunity to concentrate and develop camaraderie.