CASE STUDY- PROBLEMS IN A BUSINESS FIRM Prepared by: Vibha Singh (75) Shalki Rana (113) Vaibhauv Vijay

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SUMMARY: The case talks about a medium sized company facing various problems. Problems include lack of cooperation between sub units, increasing complaints from customers, sagging morale and rapidly increasing cost. The president of the company then decided to confer with an OD consultant about ways to improve the situation. After several meetings with the president, OD consultant gave certain organization development efforts must be made. They decided that a three day workshop away from the usual routine with the executive and his entire team might be an appropriate way to start. CHARACTERS: The President of the Company The OD Consultant The members of the Group The Human Resource Director

FACTS: The workshop was designed on the basis of feedback given by the members of the group towards the two questions asked to them by the consultant. Consultant acted more as a coach to the members of the group then as a moderator. The group examined both the underlying dynamics of each problem area and optional solutions to the problems. When it was realized by the president that the improvement was not up to a level because of his own leadership behaviour, then he extensively worked upon it, by seeing where and how he could loosen the reins.

ISSUES: 1. Lack of co-opeeration between subunits. 2. Increasing complaints from customers. 3. Sagging morale.

4. Rapidly increasing costs. SOLUTION TO THE ISSUES: After realizing the problem the president of the company decided to confer an OD consultant about the ways to improve the situation. They decided that a three day workshop away from the usual routine might be an appropriate way to start. Following were the solutions given by the Consultant: Conducting a three-days workshop away from the usual routine. Three days of workshop involved intense work and also the members had a lot of fun together. Problems were grouped under the different headings: The Boss, Meetings, Administrative Services, Customer Relations, Relations between Departments, and Long Range Goals. The president decided to have an annual three day problem solving workshop involving the consultant. HR director given an additional role of an internal OD consultant with the external (original) consultant and as a coordinator of the traditional HR function.

CONCLUSION:
Any problem in an organization can be dealt with the proper cooperation of the superiors and the subordinates and with the help of an expert.