Wk4 Ldr

Addressing Challenges of Groups and Teams

Ellen Durden, Patricia Kubasak, Wyatt Welch

LDR/531 Organizational Leadership

September 3, 2012

Courtney Wilson

Addressing Challenges of Groups and Teams

Desert Communications Inc. has been plagued with the declining demand for wireless telecommunications and rather than cutting 1,700 jobs like competitor Nokia did in 2009, the company is seeking alternatives to regain revenues (Johnson, 2009). To accomplish this goal, Desert Communications recognizes it must adopt a new sales approach with a focus on offering added services to customers. The management staff considered communication, training, measurements for success of training, conflict resolution, collaboration, and incorporating the operational change with work teams and work groups. The management staff designed the following action plan to address the challenges of groups and teams at Desert Communications arising from the introduction of the new business strategy.

Presenting Operational Change

The leadership and management teams at Desert Communications Inc. must consider several factors in preparation for communicating the company’s new business strategy and steps to achieving its goals. The goal of the communication plan is to control employees’ behavior, motivate the workforce, balance emotional expression, and share critical information (Robbins & Judge, 2011). Company leadership should highlight the belief that by changing how added services are marketed to clients will prevent job cuts as method of positively positioning the message. The idea that the company is seeking an alternative to potential job loss will also strengthen employee engagement because this move shows that the company cares about the employees. Formal downward communication will offer the most consistent and organized process of sharing the upcoming changes with employees. Taking an opportunity to inform middle...