Into the Fray

Introduction

Lafleur SA is an international beverage company that has been growing rapidly due to many mergers and acquisitions. Just recently the president of US operations, Lucien Beaumont, has stepped down and now everyone is wondering who will take his place. There are only a few people on the list that are being considered “in the running for the job.”

Michael Feldstein is the global category director for rums. Michael has been with Lafleur SA for only 2 years but does his job very well. He joined the company after Lafleur SA acquired Campos Beverage where he held positions in four different units and had been classified as a “high potential” employee. He feels his works speaks for itself and he doesn’t need to campaign for the job, e.g. Knight Rum was Lafleur’s top performer.

Danielle Harcourt is the other relevant contender for the job. She is currently the global category director for vodkas and liqueurs, has worked for the company for 15 years. She has also just come to New York from Paris, the company headquarters. Danielle is actively campaigning for Lucien’s position by means of pursuing meetings with both Michael and Pierre Hoffman, CEO of Lafleur SA. This is in contrast to Michael, who would rather focus on his job and let numbers speak by themselves; he believes that Danielle is playing a game of politics.

Meanwhile Pierre has just offered Michael a job in their newest company that they just aquired in China. Michael is apprehensive to take the job because many senior managers are being groomed in New York. Besides, going to China is dilemma for his personal life. Now Michael faces the decision between moving to China or rejecting the offer, hoping that whichever option could ultimately take him to Paris. The next two paragraphs describe Michael’s two alternatives. An explanation for the best option follows.

Option 1-> Lobby for the Lucien’s job

One option available to Michael in moving forward with his career at Lafleur is to stay in...