Gray Case: Moss and Mcadams Accounting Firm
Gray Case: Moss and McAdams Accounting Firm
1. If you were Palmer at the end of the case, how would you respond?
If I were in Palmer’s position, I would accept Sands and Olds choice and move on as the bottom line is to work towards accomplishing the organization’s goals. Considering the toll the situation had on Olds, it would be only fair to grant his wish and ensure that things get back right on track. In addition, I would also persuade Sands to find someone who has a skill set close to Olds, so that the slipping schedule can be brought back on track and ensure that the project is completed successfully. I would also convey my message that I did not appreciate a key resource being pulled mid way to work on another project to the senior management so that this situation can be avoided if possible in future.
2. What, if anything, could Palmer have done to avoid losing Olds?
Palmer should have engaged in a conversation with the Project Sponsor to explain the importance of having Olds on the Johnsonville Project, which may have encouraged Crosby to look for another suitable employee. Considering the basic nature of the Johnsonville project and the high profile status of Crosby’s project, it makes more sense for Olds to move to Crosby’s project keeping the company’s goals in mind. In addition, Crosby seemed to be relationship oriented, indeed he gave his team some rewards such as lunch at a good restaurant, game of golf, tickets to the baseball games. In contrast, Palmer refused to let Olds leave early for a baseball game which might have soured his relationship with Olds. Palmer should have had a dialogue with Olds when he saw that there was tension at home due to Olds’ after hours and tried to come up with a solution. For example, bringing in a junior employee to help Olds in the not so critical tasks so that he did not feel overburdened, try to understand/accept the fact that Auditing was not the area where Olds wanted to work and find someone
1. If you were Palmer at the end of the case, how would you respond?
If I were in Palmer’s position, I would accept Sands and Olds choice and move on as the bottom line is to work towards accomplishing the organization’s goals. Considering the toll the situation had on Olds, it would be only fair to grant his wish and ensure that things get back right on track. In addition, I would also persuade Sands to find someone who has a skill set close to Olds, so that the slipping schedule can be brought back on track and ensure that the project is completed successfully. I would also convey my message that I did not appreciate a key resource being pulled mid way to work on another project to the senior management so that this situation can be avoided if possible in future.
2. What, if anything, could Palmer have done to avoid losing Olds?
Palmer should have engaged in a conversation with the Project Sponsor to explain the importance of having Olds on the Johnsonville Project, which may have encouraged Crosby to look for another suitable employee. Considering the basic nature of the Johnsonville project and the high profile status of Crosby’s project, it makes more sense for Olds to move to Crosby’s project keeping the company’s goals in mind. In addition, Crosby seemed to be relationship oriented, indeed he gave his team some rewards such as lunch at a good restaurant, game of golf, tickets to the baseball games. In contrast, Palmer refused to let Olds leave early for a baseball game which might have soured his relationship with Olds. Palmer should have had a dialogue with Olds when he saw that there was tension at home due to Olds’ after hours and tried to come up with a solution. For example, bringing in a junior employee to help Olds in the not so critical tasks so that he did not feel overburdened, try to understand/accept the fact that Auditing was not the area where Olds wanted to work and find someone