You will take the perspective of Chris Perillo, a newly hired sales team leader in the Melbourne office of consumer products firm Alpha International. The firm operates internationally, and has a diverse workforce. The mini cases present a variety of issues and problems your new colleagues at Alpha International want your input on.
Your response essays to these mini cases should follow the general guidelines for case analyses.
That means, in your responses you will:
1. Clearly identify and justify what you think the main problems or issues are that need to be solved
2. Articulate an appropriate solution for these problems or issues
3. Evaluate the expected advantages and disadvantages of your proposed solution
EMAIL
To: Chris Perillo
From: Nicholas Summers, Senior HR manager
Date: June 8
Chris,
As you are aware, we’re in the process of hiring a number of junior sales analysts for your team. We had some trouble with retention last year – 3 out of the 4 junior people we hired last year have quit within the first 12 months. Some of them have told us in exit interviews that they felt the performance expectations were too high, the pressure they felt from account executives was excessive, and the support they got was insufficient. Some of the more senior account people in your team, on the other hand, complained that the new hires were not doing the work they were excepted to do, were helpless in getting the internal and external data they needed, and generally were a burden rather than a support for the account managers.
We need to do something.
I’m thinking we need to organize a formal onboarding program, to make sure that the new staff can hit the ground running. But what do you think? What do we need to do, to ensure that the people we hire really add value to your team.
Thanks,
Nick