Instructions for Group Work on Steel Factory CASE STUDY

 [grade = 50% writing + 50% meeting]

 

ASSIGNMENT DUE: In class

NOTE: The 3 benefits that are being cut from employees must be decided by Management, remember within reason. 

NOTE: Keep in mind that sales will drop by 20% so your cuts must be in line with the drop in sales.

NOTE: You may use some fictitious numbers to make your case for any other costs which are not provided.

NOTE: You may come up with alternative solutions, but they should not add cost to the company. 

NOTE: Can employees ask questions about the cuts, complain, argue???  YES! During the meeting with the manager.

NOTE: Can the manager change anything or just say anything?  NO NO NO. He must stick to the facts of the case which are provided.  Remember the advice of the article RUMORS Rumor Management for the official person, the leader, the boss, the manager.   

                                      

 

PART 1

 

PART 1

 

1) INTENTION OF THE CASE

 

For you to use the 4-step process of giving Bad News (oral and written channels), and for you to use the Inductive (Indirect) Method of Organizing your information to communicate your message orally and in writing.

2) HOW TO DO THE WORK, step by step

 

(a) Read and Study the 4-step process of giving Bad News. 

 

(b) Read and Study the strategy of the EXAMPLE of Giving Bad News (remember the Nuclear Power Plant Visit by the 5th grade?).

 

(c) Read and completely understand the Case Study  

 

(d) Follow the instructions on the case study – writing the letter and preparing for the meeting with employees.       

 

(e) Attend the classes with your group and take notes. (I will keep attendance.) No attendance?  No grade for you.

 

PART 2

 

1) IN CLASS – You will be collected into groups to work on the case study, the letter, and the meeting.

 

2) WRITING – Follow the instructions on the case study.  See PART 1, # 1 above.  Only 1 from each group will be given to me – this is half (50%) of the grade for this assignment 

Remember, give me the letter at the beginning of the class.  Then, I will call your group leader to begin your meeting. 

 

3) MEETING – In class, you must choose a spokesperson from your group.  He will be the “Manager” of the Factory and he will speak to the employees from the other group.

 

4) MEETING PROCESS IN CLASS –

(a) Each group will be given a number (1, 2, 3, 4,  . . .)

(b) The Manager of group 1, for example, will speak to all the members of group 3; then  the Manager of group 2 will speak to all the members of group 4 ---- etc. etc., and so on.

 

PART 2

 

5) REQUIREMENTS FROM ALL GROUPS

 

Part A – When your manager is speaking, you should listen carefully to see if he is following the 4-steps of giving Bad News and using all the information from the Case Study.  If he is not doing everything correctly, you must “Coach” him from your seats. 

 

You should then . . .

a) make notes about the 4-steps

b) think of questions that the employees from the other group may ask

c) make a visual (s) if you think it will help – remember to make the visual according to the audience level (remember their filters).

 

 

Part B – When you are the employees, listening to another manager, you should have . . .

prepared questions beforehand to ask the manager of the other group

 

 

–

ASSIGNMENT DUE: In class