WE GOOGLED YOU SUBMITTED TO PROF. MADHUSHRI SHRIVASTAVA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE WRITTEN ANALYSIS & COMMUNICATION COURSE BY RAHUL VERMA (2013PGP305) – SECTION E
FEBRUARY 7, 2014
WE GOOGLED YOU
P a g e | 2
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL th
6 –Feb-2014 Prof. Madhushri Shrivastava Faculty, Written Analysis and Communication IIM Indore
Sub: Submission of report on the case ‘We Googled You’.
Dear Madam, As per your instructions, I have analyzed the case “We Googled You” as the part of the Written Analysis and Communication course. The report that contains the results of the analysis is attached. In the current situation that Fred faces it is recommended that he should hire Mimi, keep her in US and let her formulate strategy for the expansion plans in China. Yours sincerely, Rahul Verma 2013PGP305 Section E
2|Page
WE GOOGLED YOU
P a g e | 3
Executive Summary Fred Westen, CEO of Hathaway Jones is in a dilemma whether to hire Mimi Brewster and make her a part of company’s expansion plan in China. Fred seemed to be convinced of Mimi’s ability after the first meeting backed by her strong credentials. Virginia, the VP of HR after running a Google search on Mimi came to know that she had been a part of few non-violent protests, one of them was held outside China’s consulate. Since this was out in the internet it could be used against the organization.
3|Page
WE GOOGLED YOU
P a g e | 4
Contents Situation Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Problem ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Options .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Criteria for Evaluation ................................................................................................................................... 6 Evaluation of Options .................................................................................................................................... 6 Recommendation .......................................................................................................................................... 7 Action Plan .................................................................................................................................................... 8
4|Page
WE GOOGLED YOU
P a g e | 5
Situation Analysis Fred Westen was the CEO of Hathaway Jones, a luxury apparel retailer. Despite sales of $5 million in 2006, the company’s image was taking a hit. Younger segment of the population in US were looking for
more affordable clothing, with more flair. The sales of the high priced designer clothes were declining. Fred observed that China’s luxury market was growing at a rate of 70%. And so Fred decided to expand the business into china. John an old friend of Fred came to know about company’s expansion plan and suggested her daughter Mimi’s name for the same. Mimi was born in China. She majored in modern Chinese history and
graduated cum laude. She took a job in management consultancy firm. Two years later she went to Stanford. After graduation she was recruited at Eleanor Gaston, the largest clothing, shoes and accessories company in US. She worked there for four years and developed a good taste of fashion. She played an instrumental role in launch of two brands. Mimi was invited for an interview by Fred. Mimi was very confident and presented facts and insights that would strengthen her position for the job. Fred liked the ideas and her past credentials supplemented her cause. Virginia Flanders, the vice president of human resources, at Hathaway Jones wasn’t much of an admirer
of Fred. They had been at loggerheads about the way Fred chose his top team. She believed Fred relied too much on his sixth sense to choose people for the board. Virginia was carrying out a routine background check on Mimi. She googled her name and after a detailed search found out that Mimi had carried out some non-violent but vocal protest against the world trade o rganization. She was also involved in a protest against China’s treatment of a dissident journalist. Virginia reported all the information she had gathered. Fred suggested that they should talk to Mimi and let her explain her side of the story. Also they also understood that they can’t reject Mimi on the
account of what they had gathered after a Google search. Fred had to finally decide what decision to take. Mimi’s protest against the China’s consulate could be used against her by their competitor or China’s government or a any other authorized body. Fred was
caught in two minds to hire her and take a risk or let go of a person who seemed to be the best fit for the job.
Problem Fred had to take a decision whether to hire Mimi or not after seeing her involvement in some protests few years ago, that could be used against the organization if she is leading the organization’s expansion plans in China. 5|Page
WE GOOGLED YOU
P a g e | 6
Options 1. Hire Mimi for China’s expansion plan 2. Don’t hire Mimi 3. Confront Mimi and then take a decision 4. Hire her, keep her in US and let her formulate strategy for Chinese expansion plan
Criteria for Evaluation 1. Business condition of Hathaway Jones :- Improving the business prospect of the company rather than deteriorating it 2. Credentials of the candidate for appointment:- person being appointed for the job should be able enough to take such a huge responsibility 3. Behavior of Chinese government:- Chinese government acting against Mimi for her previous
involvements in protest against them 4. Relations with Mimi’s father John: - Since John recommended her daughter’s name. If Fred doesn’t hire Mimi, his relation with Fred might get spoiled
Evaluation of Options 1. Hire Mimi for China’s expansion plan: - Mimi is certainly an able candidate for the job(Criteria
2). Hiring and placing her in china (Criteria 1) will help in the expansion because of her knowledge of the Chinese culture and history and her excellent credentials in fashion. But because of her past it might prove detrimental. Chinese government (Criteria 3) being a communist one, is infamous for its treatment of people who have raised their voice against them. Also being a patriarchal society they don’t like women being vested with so much power. Though by hiring her 2. Do not hire Mimi: - If Fred doesn’t hires Mimi, he can still go forward with the plan of expansion
(Criteria 1) by finding some other candidate for the job. Though it may be difficult to find someone with both, the right credentials and cultural fit for the job. Chinese government (Criteria3) will not come into picture. The person appointed in place of her will have to satisfy the credentials (Credit 1) for such a critical job. Fred’s relation with John will definitely take a hit.
3. Confront Mimi and then take a decision: - Fred can have one more round of interview with Mimi. He should try and get more information about Mimi’s past. He should not directly point at
the information he has at it can be used by Mimi against the organization if they choose not to hire her. If her side of the story is different than what they have perceived and he believes that 6|Page
WE GOOGLED YOU
P a g e | 7
it won’t be of much significance in their operation in China, he can take her onboa rd. Hiring her
will satisfy criteria 1 and 2 and if Fred feels she can justify criteria 3 and handle such a situation he could hire her otherwise not. In case he doesn’t hire Mimi , she can go against Fred for running a Google search and violating privacy laws. Criteria 4 will depend on the outcome of previous statement. 4. Hire her, keep her in US and let her formulate strategy for Chinese expansion plan: - Fred could hire Mimi on one condition. Rather than sending her to China she could work on the project from US. She would still be handling the expansion plans and providing her insights. In this way all the four criteria will be satisfied
Options Criteria
Hire Mimi for China’s expansion plan
Don’t hire Mimi
Confront Mimi and then take a decision
Hire her, keep her in US and let her formulate strategy for Chinese expansion plan
business condition of Hathaway Jones
Credentials of the candidate for appointment
Behavior of Chinese government
Relations with Mimi’s father John
Recommendation After evaluating the various options and factoring in the possible consequences it is suggested that Fred should hire Mimi, keep her in US and let her formulate strategy for Chinese expansion plan. Since Hathaway being a well established brand Mimi will get a lot of opportunities to prove her. 7|Page
WE GOOGLED YOU
P a g e | 8
Action Plan Fred should plan a meeting with Mimi and: Explain
Mimi that some information has come up while performing her background check without
explicitly mentioning Google search Let
her know he is convinced that she is the right person for the job
Allow
her to handle the operations from US rather than visiting China
Make her realize that Hathaway Jones being a big brand, a number of opportunities will come up
where she can apply her skills and knowledge and do well for the organization and herself.
8|Page
