Knowing When to Quit — Or Not Even Start

Posted by & filed under Ethics.

This article is an excellent case in ethics and decision making. For more than a decade, Kenneth Robinson played the odds, gambling that he could make a fortune (he did) and not get caught (he did as well). Robinson was the middle man between lawyer Matthew Kluger, who would pass along information about potential mergers, and Garrett Bauer, a stock trader that would buy for the trio based on the tips. Mr. Robinson’s demise may have been that he did not stick with the plan. When he got irritated with Bauer, he decided to make a few purchases on his own and that is when investigators were able to link the three men. Robinson pled guilty to securities fraud and conspiracy, lesser charges, in exchange for help to gather information on the other two conspirators.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Clearly Kenneth Robinson’s behavior is unethical because it is illegal. Using values as the framework, discuss why Robinson engaged in insider trading.
  2. What alternative view of ethics was Mr. Robinson following? What view did he violate?
  3. Discuss how moral management applies in this case. Your text talks about the role of leadership on ethics mindfulness. How can ethics mindfulness be promoted when individuals act autonomously (i.e., there is no direct influence of a leader)?
  4. When ethics is so often talked about and ethical violations are so widely reported in the news, how do three educated men allow themselves to get caught up in behavior that clearly violates ethical and legal standards? What is the solution?

SOURCE: M. Rothfeld, S. Pulliam, & V. O’Connell, “The Confessions of an Inside Trader,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703983104576262921972017168.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories)

Juggling Many Tasks at Once

Posted by & filed under Control.

The digital workplace puts more pressure on employees to attend to multiple tasks at the same time. Research shows that this can be counterproductive because employees are more error prone. Switching between tasks can lead to 20 minutes of lost time for each switch. The solution is focus. Managers have to create a culture where employees do not feel pressure to respond immediately to e-mails, texts, and cell phone calls.

QUESTIONS:

  1. We typically think about control at the managerial or organizational level. How does controlling relate to the present article? Should individuals be concerned about control? Why or why not?
  2. Elaborate on the type(s) of control represented in the article.
  3. Now let’s consider the impact these demands (e.g., increasing workloads, multi-tasking) place on workers. What type of stress does this represent? What are the potential implications?

SOURCE: R. Pulfer, “Multi-Tasking: Tuning Out the Noise,” Canadian Business (Retrievable online at http://www.canadianbusiness.com/managing/employees/article.jsp?content=20090817_10017_10017)

Grievance could take years to settle

Posted by & filed under Chapter 11 - The Grievance Arbitration Process.

Description: It could take years to settle a grievance filed by the Mine, Mill and Smelter workers union over bonuses the union says are owed to its members by Xstrata Nickel in Sudbury, Ont.

Source: The Sudbury Star

Date: 04/15/2011

Link: http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3076880

Questions for discussion:

  • What type of grievance is this?
  • What steps would this grievance have gone through to get to this point?
  • Why do you think it takes so long to settle such grievances?
  • How does this compare to cases in the court system?
  • What alternatives are there to this process?

B.C. court rules teachers’ bargaining law unconstitutional

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process.

Description: The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that the B.C. government violated teachers’ Charter rights in 2002 when it passed a law that removed clauses that included limits on class size from the B.C. Teachers’ Federation’s collective agreement.

Source: The  Vancouver Sun

Date: 04/14/2011

Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Teachers+regain+right+bargain+class+size/4613527/story.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Which Charter rights did the court find the law violated?
  • What effect do you think this ruling will have on the current collective bargaining negotiations between the Teachers’ Federation and public sector employers?
  • How do you think this ruling will affect other public sector workers in Canada?
  • In her decision, Supreme Court Judge Susan Griffin says: “The whole point of the Charter protection of collective bargaining is to allow employees the freedom to associate so as to collectively influence their working conditions, through strength of numbers which equalizes an employee’s bargaining power with the employer.” Why do you think the “strength of numbers” might be required to balance an employer’s bargaining power?
  • Think of an employment relationship you are personally familiar with. Is there a balance between the employer’s and employees’ powers?

He Won’t Be Twittering His Time Away

Posted by & filed under Entrepreneurship.

When Evan Williams decided to walk away from an everyday role at Twitter last October, he easily could have faded into a comfortable life of retirement. Rather than do so, Mr. Williams is working on a new startup company. As his role began to change at Twitter, Williams realized the time was right to move on. He will remain involved at Twitter by serving on its board of directors.

QUESTIONS:

  1. While Evan Williams acknowledges he will be spending far less time at Twitter, he is not retiring. Why can he not be satisfied with a comfortable retirement?
  2. Do a little internet research of your own. Find out what you can about Mr. Williams’ education and pre-entrepreneurial work experience. Discuss what you learned in relation to the characteristics of entrepreneurs presented in your text.
  3. Examine why small businesses fail and the life cycles of entrepreneurial firms. In what life cycle stage is Twitter? Why is now a good time for Mr. Williams to step aside and let others take control of the company?
  4. Review the companion article and discuss the reasons why now is a good time for Canadian entrepreneurs to make a move. Are there other factors beyond the few stated in the article?

SOURCE: M. Evans, “What Follows for Twitter’s Williams?” Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/mark-evans/what-follows-for-twitters-williams/article1964785/)

See related article at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/exit/the-top-tens/how-small-businesses-plan-to-take-advantage-of-high-loonie/article1937122/

Boomers Are Here to Stay — With a Bang!

Posted by & filed under Management.

A generation of Baby Boomers is on the cusp of retirement, but some may not. Whether for financial reasons, longevity, or something else, not all Baby Boomers are ready to leave the workplace. One of them is Michael Adams, president of a Toronto-based consulting firm. Mr. Adams says Baby Boomers have a lot to offer and companies that do not take advantage will likely see their competitors seizing the opportunity.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Are Baby Boomers a trend in terms of working today? How should organizations factor them into plans for the future?
  2. Take a look at the figure of the Shamrock Organization. What part(s) might Baby Boomers fulfill?
  3. Management Smarts 1.1 provides tips for the early career. Mr. Adams mentions that Baby Boomers could mentor one another. They might also be able to mentor up-and-coming employees. With what career survival skills could Baby Boomers help?

SOURCE: D. Jermyn, “Boomers Not Ready to Be Shown the Door,” Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/human-resources/boomers-not-ready-to-be-shown-the-door/article1965309/)

Related video clip available at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/human-resources/a-generations-legacy-flexibility-in-the-workplace/article1965483/

To Measure Or Not to Measure?

Posted by & filed under Human Resource Management.

It seems everyone is obsessed with measurement these days. In fact, you probably started your course by talking about research that informs current management thinking or the importance of quantitative analysis or quality management. The fact is lots of things are measured. If you haven’t already, you will soon be examining individual behavior. The author contends that individual behavior is difficult to measure and factors that predict performance success over the long haul are often not included in typical measures of performance. These measures – maximum performance measures – are quick, seemingly straightforward, and easily gather data on a large group. But the measures have little value beyond the test conditions themselves.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Let’s begin with a review. In a general sense, why do supermarkets care about the speed of cashiers, NFL teams care about 40-yard dash times, or colleges care about scores on standardized tests? Do these things constitute data, information, or both? What does (or would) make these measurements useful information?
  2. Which major responsibility in the human resource management process is covered by the NFL Scouting Combine? What about the SAT? What about measuring cashier speed? There are two basic criteria associated with employment tests. Which is being called into question in the article when it contrasts maximum versus typical performance?
  3. If typical performance is trustworthy and accurately measured, would you be confident enough to make the decision to hire or reject a job candidate on that alone? If not, what else would you consider? If you are comfortable making the decision based on typical performance, would you be able to defend the practice in a court of law?

SOURCE: J. Lehrer, “Measurements That Mislead,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704471904576230931647955902.html?mod=WeekendHeader_Rotator)

Sensitive Selling

Posted by & filed under Individual Behavior.

The author’s recent shopping experience in New York City is chronicled. Suffice it to say, she did not have a positive experience and has advice to offer for improving service to customers. The problems Ms. Barrows encountered speak to the importance of individual behavior in the workplace.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Why is job satisfaction important? If you have retail experience, describe the variety of customers/customer demands that you experience. How might these different interactions influence job satisfaction? What is the best way to ensure employee engagement in jobs that require high levels of customer contact?
  2. Two related, but different, retail stores. One sells lingerie; the other sells men’s hats. Both stores are staffed by male employees. Is there any reason to believe that job involvement might be an issue in either situation? What about organizational commitment? Discuss the reasons for your answers.
  3. What role does emotion play in the way we work? Comment on the emotional intelligence of the two salespeople based on the brief exchange with Ms. Barrows and her companion. What factors might influence their responses? As you imagine possibilities, discuss how you would handle similar situations.

SOURCE: S. Barrows, “Please Don’t Squeeze the Lingerie,” Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/business-categories/customer-experience/why-being-touchy-feely-improves-the-bottom-line/article1837494/)

Trading (Way) South of the Border

Posted by & filed under Global Management.

By the turn of the 20th century, Canadian banks were moving south to keep up with growing business opportunities in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. A century later, only a handful of Canada’s biggest companies are actively engaged in business in the Southern Hemisphere. For its part, the Canadian government recognizes this is not an opportunity to be overlooked in favor of India or China. Calgary is hosting the annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank.

QUESTIONS:

  1. The opening paragraph of the article highlights specific reasons for Canadian bank involvement in Central and South America. That was more than a century ago. What are the arguments for greater involvement in those areas today?
  2. The article discusses why Canada is not more involved in Central and South America. Is this a lack of cultural intelligence? The Canadian government has taken steps to remedy the situation. What should Canadian businesses do?
  3. After reading the article, what strategy(ies) would you recommend to a company that wanted to take advantage of the opportunities in Central and South America?

SOURCE: K. Carmichael & T. Grant, “South America: Canada’s Forgotten Continent,” Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/south-america-canadas-forgotten-continent/article1957537/)

To Blog or Not to Blog?

Posted by & filed under Communication.

Companies are embracing social media almost to excess. Communicating via Facebook and Twitter are not that difficult. Blogging, while more effective and richer, is a bit more involved. Tumblr software offers an interface that makes it easier to communicate and gives users more options for getting their message out to others.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Follow the links provided and check out the blogs set up by the five featured businesses. Evaluate the effectiveness, persuasiveness, and credibility of communication for each.
  2. Were you able to note any evidence of poor written expression?
  3. Do the blogs allow for constructive feedback from readers/customers?
  4. Blogs fall in the middle of the channel richness continuum. Now that you reviewed the five businesses profiled in the article, comment on the appropriateness of this channel selection. Was the blog a good or poor choice for communicating?

SOURCE: A. MacArthur, “How Tumblr Is Dominating the Business of Blogging,” Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/digital-culture/trending-tech/how-tumblr-is-dominating-the-business-of-blogging/article1954693/)