Sit Tide and Ride the Storm.

Do you agree with Howser’s suggestion to “sit tight and ride the storm,” or should the partners take some action immediately? If so, what actions specifically?

No, I don’t agree the partners should “sit tight and ride the storm”. What worked for the insurance company in the past will not necessarily work in the law office now – the market, type of clientele and business is completely different. The “take no prisoners” attitude of Mr. Howser will backfire for the partners if they do not take action and correct what they know is wrong with Howsers’ decisions.

The partners should revise Mr. Howser’s decisions and override each and every one of the implementations they understand could be detrimental to the overall operation of the firm. For example, the new 9:00 to 5:00 work hours. I understand that a ”loose schedule” as Mr. Howser call it, may not be as efficient as the regular 9 to 5 schedule and the change is needed; however, they need to take into consideration the needs of the employees (such as Ms. Bronson) and work a happy medium with a transitional period. In a small business like this firm, you need to have every employee as happy as possible so they give the company 100% of their effort - a disgruntled employee is as good for your company as your competition.

Another correction the partners should take is the strongly worded letter demanding immediate payments. Although I see the need to remind clients to pay their bills, not only the tactic was wrong, but it hurts the firm by alienating those clients. A more personal an intimate approach should be used to bring those checks in. I believe that Mr. Jeter, Mr. Jackson and the other partners should visit in person each one of the clients offended by the letter and offer their apologies – it may be the only way they can bring those clients back.

As for the other in-house changes, is obvious Mr. Howser autocratic style of management is creating a negative atmosphere among employees and clients; the partners...