Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.
Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.
Introduction
A global publisher of print products, Harrison-Keyes specializes in scientific, technical and business books and journals, professional and consumer books, textbooks and other educational materials for all levels of study. The company holds about 22,700 active titles and publishes about 2000 new titles each year (University of Phoenix Scenario One, 2008). Technological advancements have made the Worldwide Web a new tool for lightening fast communication, shopping, learning and other resources. Harrison-Keys (H-K) Inc. has seen a decrease in sales and is facing competition from other companies who have already seen an increase in e-business sales. The company has decided to start e-books business but is facing resistance from employees and from authors as they fear their financial stability.
Describe the Situation
Issue and Opportunity Identification
H-K’s CEO Meg McGill has decided to initiate the e-book’s business to enhance company’s sales and meet consumer demands. The issue faced by CEO Meg McGill is resistance of employees towards the new change and that of other stakeholders like the authors. Company politics plays a role in almost all organization and H-K is no exception. Project selection may be based no so much on facts and sound reasoning, but rather on the persuasiveness and power of people advocating projects (Gray & Larson, 2005).
Previously the company only published hard cover and paperback books but the e-books is a new project which the company has no experience of. The disagreements between the board members and the leadership team that need to be addressed. Escalation is the primary control mechanism for dealing with and resolving problems. The basic principle is that problems should be resolved at the lowest level within a set time limit (i.e., 24 hours), or they are escalated to the next level of management. If so, the principals have the...
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