Robin Hood

A Written Case Analysis Conducted by Austin Burris

April 29, 2011

Strategic Management Final

Case #12

Spring, 2011
Issues that Need Addressing

1. The expansion of the Merrymen has caused a shortage in resources that the

Sherwood Forest can provide. This must be addressed.

2. Anyone was allowed and welcome to join the band so many of the men are

without training or discipline. This also must be addressed.

3. Prince John has spies everywhere so spies may be among the Merrymen.

4. The Merrymen lack horizontal management, diversity.

Mission Statement

We, the Merrymen, led by Robin Hood, the Prince of Thieves, in order to achieve

equality in finance and equal distribution of resources, exist to steal from the rich and

give to the poor. We exist not in spite of the rich, but in support of the poor,

Vision Statement

To extend our reach throughout Nottingham and surrounding areas, we intend to

expand the complete range of our services. We are determined to continually focus on

equality, striving to mend the broken strands of communication, distribution, allocation,

and rights among all.

Performance Objectives

Objectives exist to convert the vision into performance targets to be achieved.

1. Appoint three new lieutenants in the next six months, in the responsibility of

forest replenishment and development, customer relations and support, and legal

advising. (These three individuals should already be members of the Merrymen so

that they have the support of other members)

 2. Implement a training program that all members should participate in. This

program should take place over the next year. There should certain standards met

in able to pass and should be repeated every three years in order to access skill

and discipline,

3. Implement a program that will either make a rations system for the resources of

forest or make it that each Merrymen is responsible for own resources.

Confronting Problems

Robin Hood needs to analyze the situation, alternatives, and options. Robin Hood

then should analyze resources, strengths, and opportunities. Within the appendix there are

two diagrams of situation analysis for Robin Hood and his Merrymen.

The High Sheriff of Nottingham is growing by becoming more organized. Being

better organized can help the Merrymen in many areas mainly the allocation of resources.

Also, reorganizing will allow for the Merrymen to focus on their weaknesses. Strength

does lie in numbers, if well organized.

Robin Hood & his Merrymen and the Barons are not friends but have a common

enemy, Prince John. The two groups could join forces. The joining of forces would help

in multiple ways. The Barons have resources that the Merrymen do not; thus helping with

the limited resources of Sherwood Forest. Not only can the Barons most likely provide

food but shelter as well. Also, the Merrymen have the forces it takes to go and free King

Richard. Robin Hood was a supporter of King Richard anyway. Also, King Richard’s

release would be beneficial to both parties and would thwart the regime of Prince John.

Steps of Implementation
1. The first step of implementation is to access the situation, take a step back, look at

it from many aspects and angles, think on the matter, and then make the proper

decisions.

2. Robin Hood should restructure the hierarchy and business model of the

Merrymen. In doing so, the lieutenants would be spread more horizontal.. He

should appoint three additional lieutenants from within the band into areas of

specialty. All of the members will be divided into cohorts reporting a different

lieutenant. Each division will be determined by skills, abilities, and location of the

Merrymen.

The first new cohort would specialize in forest development and replenishment

along with being responsible for research, development, and acquiring other

resources.

The townspeople and farmers are said to be the Merrymen’s greatest allies so they

should have a sector focusing on customer relations. This sector would handle

customer complaints and support. This way they have a consistent understanding

the situation

Lastly, the third additional lieutenant would be a legal and strategic advisor. This

lieutenant and his cohort would work close with Will Scarlett’s cohort. Scarlett’s

cohort is responsible for intelligence and information collection. This cohort

would process and analyze such information and advise a course of action to

Robin Hood. The Merrymen also are constantly in trouble with the law, noting the

rivalry with the High Sheriff. Legal support could not hurt.
 The seven lieutenants and Robin Hood will meet twice a month to deliberate and

determine courses of action.

The current and future hierarchies are shown in the appendix with list

responsibility of each lieutenant.

3. After restructuring, he needs to retrain the forces of the Merrymen. Due to

restructuring some of the Merrymen will be in unfamiliar roles and they will need

training. They more they know the better it is for the group as a whole. This will

also help to give the forces self-discipline and they will be able to act on instinct

when nothing else.

4. Robin Hood is going to have to make decisions once that is completed. Not

everyone will be correct for the roles and some will not make it through training.

In order to be at utmost strength Robin may have to let some men go.

5. Next, the Merrymen will need to devise two things: a rules and regulations guide

and a plan to properly allocate funds and resources. A rules and regulations will

help with discipline as well as image. It has already been stated that the Sherwood

Forest has limited resources and they have surpassed that in numbers.

Restructuring the band and letting some people go will help that but ultimately

something needs to be done. In addition to allocating resources, Robin Hood

might also delegate men to research and acquiring additional resources.

Appendix

Current Hierarchy

Robin Hood
Leader

Will
Scarlett Much
Intelligence & Scouting
Provisioning

Little John Scarlock

Discipline Accounting

Future Hierarchy

Robin Hood
Leader

Little John Scarlock

Discipline Accounting

Will
Scarlett Much
Intelligence Provisioning

Lieutenant Lieutenant Lieutenant

Customer Relations Legal Advisor Forest Development
S.W.O.T. Analysis

Large amount of troops Sheriff is growing stronger

Townspeoples' Support Prince John and his spies

Strengths Threats

Weaknesses Opportunities
Limited Resources Restructuring of his band
Overgrowth and
Unfamiliarity with Men

TOWS Matrix

The TOWS Matrix displays alternatives

TOWS Matrix
Opportunities Threats
SO Strategy: Restructure the
Strengths Band ST Strategy: Join Barons
Has a lot of men (strenght lie in
numbers); Become Stronger More Resources; Larger
Overall Forces; Not on the same side
WT Strategy: No More
Weaknesses WO Strategy: Kill Sheriff Merrymen
The Sheriff is gone; Issue still Townspeople have no support;
remains No more issues