“West Indies Yacht Club Resort: When Cultures Collide”

“West Indies Yacht Club Resort: When Cultures Collide”

1. As Jim Johnson, what problem do you currently face?

a. Multitude problems and issues.

i. The local employees feel that they have no direction or guidance because the expatriate managers come in for the season then go home. The managers quite leaving the local employees to try to figure out what their next step in the job is. Some managers see this as laziness or unmotivated. Not true in this case. The employees just don’t have guidance.

ii. Lack of communication from all areas, from the top down. There are meetings with the corporate office that include you (Jim Johnson) but the information does not flow down to the other managers or employees. Expatriates. Great individuals, lots of college and experience in their fields. It does not mean that they are good on an exotic island away from civilization with people that they do not know and a job that they do not have clue as to what to do or see the potential in.

2. Who are the most effective expatriate managers at the resort? What are the key characteristics that make them more effective?

b. Nick Smith. He has local ties as he is married and has a child and lives on the island. These characteristics make him more effective. He does his job because he enjoys it and his family is there with him.

c. Kristin Singiser. She is upbeat and will do anything for the guests. Great attribute for a Rooms Division Manager.

d. Kent Mawhinney. I added him only because he seems to listen to the issues that the employees give to him. This could be a great attribute but it could also hurt is ability to gain trust due to some of the issues that are happening will not or cannot be changed.

3. Who are the least effective expatriate managers at the resort? What are the key characteristics that make them more effective?

e. Enrik Harrigan. He lacks motivation and management skills. He does not...