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A Story About a Major Business Restructure - Part 4

Posted by Leanne | October 21, 2008 .

It's 1985. Steve Ballmer gets an idea.
Creative Commons License photo credit: Torley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s post is Part 4 of A Story About a Major Business Restructure. 

This post will be difficult to follow if you have not read the earlier posts. 

The links to the earlier posts are here  Part one,  Part 2, Part 3 (note you can skip Part 2 if you like as this was an ad break/intermission from the story).  

To refresh your memory, in Part 3, M was about to talk to V and D separately.  M will decide between the advice and ideas given by V and D.  The outcome of these discussions will determine the future direction of YPL, and whoever is not chosen out of V and D will be asked to leave YPL. 

V is positive about the restructure
M talks to V first.  V states that restructure at YPL should be viewed as essential as YPL clearly needs to grow and not stagnate as it currently is.  V outlines a comprehensive and ambitious plan that will provide enormous short term and long term benefits to YPL.  V emphasizes the need to move forward now rather than waiting. 

V acknowledges that there could be some hurdles along the way, and then states that no matter what happens, YPL has a committed workforce of highly skilled workers who are capable of overcoming any challenge.  V reminds M of several changes made at YPL in the past where significant obstacles were overcome and YPL emerged stronger after meeting and getting through the various challenges.

V’s passion, positivity and enthusiasm are contagious and by the end of the time with V M is feeling revved up and pretty excited about the prospect of following V’s plan.

D feels that now is not a good time
Now it is D’s turn.  D states that there are too many internal issues to be sorted out and that combined with external issues such as the current global economic climate, clearly indicate that now is not a good time to commence a restructure.  D highlights some previous occasions where YPL went ahead with a change prematurely and the difficulties that YPL went through as a consequence. 

D produces a trump card
D asks to be excused for a moment and brings in his trump card, Nancy (yay - finally there is a real name being provided in the story).  D introduces Nancy to M as an experienced business analyst who has witnessed many restructures similar to what is currently being proposed at YPL. 

Nancy wastes no time advising M that the restructure at YPL is doomed to fail.  Nancy points out that she personally knows of more than 5 companies similar to YPL that went ahead with similar plans and all of them failed. 

Nancy produces a report that details every aspect of the restructure and against each she has listed the issues that will make it near impossible for each part of the plan to succeed. 

M has a lot to think about
M thanks D and Nancy for their time, and alone in the office begins the onerous task of weighing up all of the information provided by V and D, as well as Nancy.  M wants to make sure the right decision is made.

Will M choose V and go ahead with the restructure or will M choose D and postpone the restructure?  All will be revealed in the next post, which will be the final post in the series A Story About a Major Business Restructure.

Who do you think M will choose?  Do you think M will be influenced by D’s “trump card” Nancy?

Do you have any final advice for M?



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4 Comments so far
  1. Dave Fowler October 21, 2008 8:24 pm

    M has already postponed the restructuring because he’s now in doubt over the original decision. He’s under pressure from A and C depts (I think?) to go ahead and there may be some sort of personality power war going on with at least one of the other department heads (can’t remember which). M doesn’t like being pushed around and will be happy to cut off his nose to spite his face.

    He’s a procrastinator of the finest order and he’s lead by negative emotions. He’s buoyed up by his happy go lucky supervisor and rides the crest of the wave until sad sack supervisor brings him the bad news. Sad sacks trump card of brining in Betty Bingo Wings with the six reports is the final nail in the coffin.

    The restructuring is off.

    What they need to do is go with the changes – just because others failed doesn’t mean they will fail, given what’s already been said about the capacity of the workforce to get things done. I’m disappointed in M that he didn’t do his own research first.

    M is for Moron.

    What do I win?

  2. Leanne October 22, 2008 7:57 am

    Geez you have summed this up amazingly well Dave. I was contemplating what prize to give you when I saw an out for me.

    You forfeit the prize on a technicality. Who said M was a he? Throughout the whole story I have been very careful not to give M, V or D a gender. The only character with a defined gender was Nancy. (you will find out more about Nancy in the final episode)

    Ohh I feel all powerful doing that to you. Does that make me a blog bully? I’m harmless really. ;)

  3. Dave Fowler October 23, 2008 4:25 am

    But but but surely the head of YPL and the supervisors are men?!?

    Oh no my world has been turned upside down.

    Nice twist Leanne!

    Did I really read it right? Honestly?

    Blimey. Perhaps I should get into your game? Hehehehe.

    Ooooo Nancy is more than just a bit player?! This just gets better!

    :)
    Dave Fowlers last blog post..More Womens Work: Ironing

  4. Leanne October 23, 2008 8:52 am

    Beats ironing doesn’t it?