Affecting Change

Affecting Change

Tiffany L. Davis

University of Phoenix

LDR/531

April 25, 2011

Alejandro Michelsen

Smith and Falmouth is a mid-size tele-shopping and mail order business. They recently developed an e-tailing division, S&F Online, which is essential to the company’s strategic growth plan. Chief Executive Officer, Irene Seagraves, plans to consolidate S&F operations as a means to increase the reach of the company’s online services. Irene hires Tiffany Davis as the new Chief Operating Officer of S&F Online. Tiffany’s duties include: streamlining online operations, increasing the reach of online sales channels, and making S&F Online a profitable strategic business unit. Tiffany has been given nine months to achieve these goals and already tension is mounting amongst the current management team (Leadership in Action, 2011). Tiffany must evaluate the current organizational structure and culture, determine what leadership styles are needed to implement the change, what strategy to use to improve the culture, and summarize the benefits these changes will bring to the organization.

In her first few weeks, Tiffany has already revealed the different groups and cliques in the organization that are outside the normal organizational structure. Organizational culture influences the entire organization as well as its employees. It determines how things are done in the organization (Robbins, 2007). Organizational culture gives the company stability, and leaves employees with a feeling of security as well as, creates a barrier for change. It is obvious that she needs to win the support of the leaders of the decision-makers within the informal groups. Tiffany needs to determine a way to get the decision-makers to become part of the team which will influence others to join in as well. In other words, she needs an ally to help implement the new vision of the company. After careful review, Tiffany determines project manager, James Argyle, will be the best...