LISA BENTON : CASE ANALYSIS

Mihika Yadav
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Homecare : Hierarchical Chart

Product Manager ( Deborah Linton)

Associate product Manager ( Ron Scoville)

Assistant Product Manager ( Liza Benton )

How did I get into this mess ?

Rejecting the offer at Right Away Hesitant to take up much responsibility Liza was not sure about reactions of VP (Operations) towards her Right Away was a small company, with headquarters in a rundown warehouse section in Chicago No women mangers around Gap between expectations & reality at Houseworld She expected to receive classical marketing training in a structured environment She presumed that the hygiene factors were better in Houseworld Her relationship with Linton and Scoville was not good as both of them had stereotype attitude towards MBA graduates She was asked to perform clerical tasks Linton failed to mentor her properly Benton was frustrated as she got a negative performance feedback She was unsure how to manage her relationship with Scoville & Linton She was not true to her own character
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Social penetration theory

Deborah (As seen by Lisa):
Confident and sophisticated Jealous (Resents MBAs) Control freak (Makes it clear to Lisa that she is the boss) Not trustworthy (Doesnt guide Lisa even though she promises her) Articulate and persuasive Manipulating (Tries to alienate Lisa from various marketing presentations) Not encouraging Finicky (typing incident) Illogical (Sides with Ron on copying incident) Inconsistent ( feedback)
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Ron (As seen by Lisa):

Unkempt Acts like overbearing big brother Hypocrite (tells Lisa to follow rules even though he thinks himself to be above them) Condescending High headedness Superiority complex Brusque Ill mannered (yelled at Lisa before whole office) Destructive behavior
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JOHARI WINDOW
KNOWN TO SELF Enthusiastic Friendly Professional Outgoing Quick learner Analytical Skills Intellectual Capacity Ambitious Organizational abilities Underutilized Frustrated NOT KNOWN TO SELF Non-assertive Non-initiator Lack of confidence (Kingston had faith) Potential Ability to judge others character.(Scovilles in particular)

KNOWN TO OTHERS

NOT KNOWN TO OTHERS

Window Open Blind Hidden

Right away Large Small Small

Houseworld Small Large Large

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Transactional Analysis
1. Lisas dominant ego was that of adaptive child and rebellious child
2. Deborahs dominant ego was that of critical parent.

3. Kingstons dominant ego was that of nurturing parent.

4. Hence Lisa got along well with Kingston while she felt suffocated under Deborah.
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FIRO-B Lisa
INCLUSION EXPRESSED LOW - MEDIUM 1.Did not contribute opinions in meeting 2. Socializing with other assistant product managers CONTROL MEDIUM-HIGH 1. Got the work done at Right Away 2.Lacks assertiveness at Household. AFFECTION HIGH 1.Got along well with staff 2.Fixed the heading of charts of secretary on vacation

WANTED

HIGH 1.Tried several times to get answers from Linton. 2.Feels Linton under-utilized her abilities

HIGH 1. Curbed her natural instincts to please her boss

HIGH 1.Wanted Linton to make time for her 2.Shared her feeling of frustration with Carter.

FIRO-B Deborah
Right Away INCLUSION CONTROL AFFECTION

EXPRESSED

LOW 1. Showed no inclination in getting to know Lisa.

HIGH 1. Clearly told Lisa who her boss is. 2. Was upset when Vernon spoke to Lisa directly

LOW 1. No mention of social life apart from rumored affair with Ron

WANTED

LOW 1. Rejected Lisa attempts to form more cordial relationship

LOW 1. Would not delegate work. 2. Didnt encourage Lisa to speak at meetings

LOW 1. Didnt encourage Lisas attempts to get to know her better.

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FIRO-B Kingston
Right Away INCLUSION CONTROL AFFECTION EXPRESSED HIGH 1. Made RightAway tightly knit organization 2. Gave Lisa part time consulting N/A HIGH 1. Even though upset with Lisas decision to not join his firm, he wished her good luck

WANTED

HIGH 1. Trained interns so that they could fit into the organization

HIGH 1. He let Lisa take initiative and start nonmerchandisi ng services

HIGH 1. Wanted loyalty from Lisa because he had invested a lot of time and effort in her.

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FIRO- B Analysis

Lisa and Kingstons relation was very cordial because there FIRO B results were complimentary.

Kingston

Lisa

Lisas and Deborahs FIROB were not complementary and that could explain the friction in their relationship.

Deborah

Lisa

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So what can I do now?

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Option 1 : Bear with Deborah and Ron until her permanent position is allotted (status quo) Option 2 : Have clear-the-air discussions with Deborah and Ron and chalk out a plan which suits all of them.
Option 3 : Ask Vernon to switch her to another brand Option 4 : Approach Kingston to see if she could join Right-Away right away.
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