Marketing

Executive summary

The purpose of this report is to investigate the major problems that are prevalent at Lawton, Langridge, Lypton and Lawless, Solicitors.

One of the major problems that the firm is experiencing, is that the data clerks possess a lack of motivation. This is because they are isolated on the 35th floor and their work is monotonous. Also they are not given any responsibility which then results in a lack of initiative. Furthermore they do not possess any goals. Another major problem is that Mrs Blakely, the WPC unit supervisor, does not possess adequate leadership skills. She does not encourage or inspire the girls, delegate simple tasks, or teach them. She also does not try to solve the problem of data error. Lack of effective communication is also another problem that the firm suffers from. Ineffective communication is present in the WPC unit and between the different divisions of the law firm. This was illustrated when Mr Lawton held a meeting with the WPC employees. The girls told him that they found the work boring and that they felt isolated. His solution was to install a sound system. He did not ask them what was the best solution, hence no active listening was present, nor did he ask whether installing a sound system was the best answer to their problem, hence not allowing feedback to occur.

It is recommended that if the law firm resolved the symptoms of ineffective communication, the lack of motivation amongst the data clerks and Mrs Blakely's poor leadership style, then the two other problems, the weak organisational culture and the lack of teamwork would also be eradicated. Therefore the solution to the lack of motivation of the data clerks is to assign a WPC employee to a maximum of two solicitors, on the same floor as the solicitors. This would then allow them to improve communication with the other employees of the firm. Another solution is for goals to be set by individual employees and departments. This would create a more motivated...