Critics - The other half of the class has been designated Critics and assigned a Presenter to critique. Critics will accomplish the following by...

THIS IS WHAT THE RESPONSE IS BASED ON:  RESPOND TO THE PAPER BELOW: the questions are above. 

Problem:

The main problem within Allentown Materials Corporation EPD is the lack of cooperation and understanding between departments. This has caused targets to be missed and new projects cannot be completed while EPD is not working as a whole.

Cause:

Don Rogers who was promoted to Vice President and General Manager 2 years prior to this case and has a lack of managerial experience and leadership skills.  He has yet to create a clear vision or mission for all departments to strive for and though he realizes there is a problem, has not been present in order to fix these issues, “Rogers needs to be physically present to learn about and lead a fractious organization,”( Ellet, 2007 p 56). He has spread apart the marketing and sales divisions, which need to be more aligned in order to avoid disconnect and remain on the same path.  Also, he does not hold other managers below him accountable for their division’s individual targets which create further frustration between all departments when others are not pulling their weight.   

Position:

Don Rogers needs to determine a vision for EPD for all departments involved and begin to develop a culture so that they can grow and work together to accomplish future goals as one.  It is easy to blame others for internal failures, especially if there is little understanding on what the other parts do.     There should open discussion within cross development meetings and further coaching between departments.  If Rogers cannot pull everyone together, there will be no future for EPD.  He needs to make an effort to spend time with all parts so that no one part feels disconnected from the rest.  A clear understanding is needed on his part about every divisions function and how they are producing in order to work on internal relationships. 

Reference:

Ellet, W. (2007). The case study handbook: How to read, discuss, and write persuasively about cases. Harvard Business School Press.