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Grade

Communication for Managers

Case Assignment No. 1
Case Analysis Report on
‘Is it Ever OK to break a promise?’

Submitted by:
Name: Sakshi Tibrewala
Roll No: 191149
Section: A
Batch: MBA – FT (2019-2021)

Institute of Management, Nirma University

Date of Submission: 03/09/2019
Executive Summary

Sameer Hopskins, Assistant Manager – Operations at Baba Enterprises, is pursuing his MBA
degree which is being sponsored by the company in exchange of a three-year contract. A new offer
comes in place and he now has to make a choice whether to accept the new high paying, attractive,
prone to more growth job or return to BABA and utilize the new skills he learnt to advance further.
He should ideally choose the new offer to enhance personal development and maximize his returns
from and MBA and lay down his perspective to his stakeholder at BABA to maintain healthy
relations.

(100 words)
Situation Analysis

Sameer Hopskins, Assistant Manager – Operations at Baba Enterprises, is a dedicated employee

working with the company for over five years and steadily growing under his department. He joined
the company just after graduating and has been proved to be a real asset to the company. After a
brief lunch with a colleague he realized the need to pursue an MBA degree in order to advance to a
management position and direct his career. But he lacked the monetary resources to do so which
pushed him to approach his head Ioana Romano, VP – Operations. She restrained at first but
looking over Sameer’s bright career, she raised the request with the CEO himself, Mr. Anil Baba.
Anil met with Sameer 4 days later and caught the gleam in his eyes. After a brief discussion
amongst the heads of HR, VP and Anil, it was decided that the company will sponsor Sameer’s
MBA tuition on the condition that he signs a three-year bond. Sameer readily agreed as this was on
opportunity of a lifetime. He knew that the skills he will learn while doing an MBA, when rightfully
applied, will boost his growth at BABA.

By signing the bond, he not only agreed to be faithful to the firm, but also paved the way for his
colleagues to follow the same path, open new opportunities and set a precedent. Also, when Ioana
was a bit sceptical to invest on him, he promised to her that he will abide by the bond and return.
Therefore, he will part to college with a lot of expectations which he is very well equipped to fulfil.

During his degree, he is identified as a deserving and competent candidate and head-hunters
approached him with an amazing job offer from CloudSkim, a start-up in Silicon Valley. They were
ready to offer him double the salary from BABA. Sameer politely rejected the offer mentioning his
relation and contract with BABA. The head-hunter reverted with an upgraded offer that also pays
half his tuition.

Now Sameer has two options, one to return to BABA with utmost faith and grow positively, other is
to accept the better offer at CloudSkim and adapt to the new market changes.

(Exhibit 1)
Problem Statement

Sameer has to make a firm decision on whether to accept the CloudSkim offer. He has to make a
tough choice between his principles and rationality to land on a path that will advance his career.

Objectives
While choosing between the options he needs to consider the below objectives:

1. Growth
2. Personal development
3. Adaptability
4. Principles
5. Righteousness
6. Return Maximization

Options

1. Accept the offer at CloudSkim and relieve the contract with BABA
2. Reject the offer at CloudSkim and adhere to the contract with BABA

Evaluation of options
(Exhibit 2)

Option 1: Accept the offer at CloudSkim and relieve the contract with BABA

Pros:

1. He has the right to switch jobs

2. He has been offered a better pay with the facilitation of relieving the bond rightfully
3. The new job at CloudSkim will mark personal development
4. The work Environment is more attractive
Cons:

1. Head-hunters only care about filling the position which he is being pushed into
2. He has a moral obligation towards BABA and his colleagues
3. The new job only pays 50% of his tuition
4. Break the precedent he set which will disallow the firm to trust on any other employee

Option 2: Reject the offer at CloudSkim and adhere to the contract with BABA

Pros:

1. He is growing at BABA, and since they have invested on him, a raise and promotion is
highly expected for him.
2. He will set a precedent for any foreseeable employees who wish to pursue their Masters.
3. He will prove faithful and trust worthy which will be a value addition to his resume.
4. He is being considered on the headquarters team, which is a major boost.
5. He has a long career ahead of him to opt for higher paying jobs rather than credibility

Cons:

1. A three-year contract is quite long to adhere to

2. The job at BABA is currently paying half of the offer from CloudSkim
3. The scope of growth will be slightly less at BABA then at CloudSkim
4. The management at BABA more or less left Sameer alone during his MBA while he was
distracted and making new contacts. They were not entirely engaged with him.

Decision and Justification

Sameer should choose option 1 here i.e. accept the offer of CloudSkim and relieve the bond with
BABA. This might portray him as trust breaker but the new job offers more advancement
opportunities which is necessary as the market changes. As long as he rightfully abides by the
contract and pays his tuition he is not bound to answer to the company. If he stays with BABA, he
will be an unhappy employee and thus become less productive and lowly efficient.

(Exhibit 2)
Action Plan

1. Sameer must accept the offer at CloudSkim by contacting Lucy Vinapola, Hr Manager,
CloudSkim as it might lapse soon.
2. He should convey about it to Ioana, Anil and Patrick and explain his perspective to them.
There should not be any hard feelings between both the parties as it will affect them in the
long run.
3. He should pay back his tuition and relieve the contract legally before signing on with
CloudSkim.
4. He must think about people in his new networks who might work for BABA or how he
could serve as an adviser.

Contingency Plan

There might be a possibility that BABA offers him a raise in order to retain him. In that case:

1. Sameer must stay firm on his decision. This will prove his perspective that it is not just
about the money but what the new job has to offer in terms of personal development.
2. Sameer must politely reject any counter offers from BABA.
Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Stakeholders at BABA

• Trust
Anil
• Competency

• Future
Ioana Growth
• Credibilty

• Example
Patrick
• Relationship
Exhibit 2: Option Evaluation Matrix

Growth Personal Adaptability Principles Righteousness Return

Development Maximization

Option #1 ✓ ✓ ✓

Option #2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

(1126 words)
 Undertaking

To Whom It May Concern:

I, Sakshi Tibrewala, hereby declare that this assignment is my original work and is not
copied from anyone/anywhere. If found similar to other sources, I shall take complete
responsibility of the action, taken thereof by, CFM Team.

Signature : _________________________

Name : Sakshi Tibrewala

Roll No. : 191149

Section :A

Batch : MBA – FT (2019-2021)

Date : 3rd September 2019