Question

Wendy, the director of research at Stott Associates, has asked Simon, one of the senior consultants, to manage a project team that will be researching cost-cutting measures for the firm. Wendy gives Simon her view of the goals of the project, explicitly outlines the responsibilities, and identifies the people he should assemble for his team. What is the most important thing for Simon to do next? Assemble his team to define the project. Gauge how employees feel, but leave any probing questions for later. Determine what the underlying issues are. Make sure he understands the symptoms of the problem.

Answer 1

What is the most important thing for Simon to do next?

• Simon has to form a thorough plan for the process
• He should identify the most costliest resources in order to focus on them for cost-cutting

Gauge how employees feel, but leave any probing questions for later

• Employees would feel that their resources are unnecessary being cut down
• Employees feel demotivated on absence of enough resouces

Determine what the underlying issues are. Make sure he understands the symptoms of the problem

• Many costly resources have become a part of daily activities
• It is very difficult to phase out those resources
• He might face protest from workers on removal of resources which benefit them on daily basis