Harrison Keyes

Running head: PROBLEM SOLUTION: HARRISON-KEYES INC.

Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.

MBA590

Robert Wolf Faculty

University of Phoenix

Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.

Problem-solving and decision-making are basic components of daily business interactions. When delving into the process of decision-making today, major decision makers within a firm must possess a sound decision-making methodology. Over time, top managers have discovered that traditional decision-making processes may lack vital elements of critical thinking for effective and timely decision-making. Therefore, effective business leaders have adopted increasingly thorough and aggressive approaches to outlining alternatives, evaluating those defined alternatives, defining solutions, and assessing risk associated with the defined solutions.

Describe the Situation

Issue and Opportunity Identification

Due to low cost retailers eating into profits, and increased competition, Harrison-Keyes is trying to implement an e-publishing venture in an effort to expand the business enterprise. However, Harrison Ð'-Keyes has stumbled in their efforts to implement the new plan. Specifically they are experiencing the following issues:

1. Harrison Ð'-Keyes is receiving negative press which could seriously damage Harrison-Keyes

reputation and credibility.

2. Overseas outsourcing has not produced desired results and is currently effectively out of

business due to floods in the region.

3. Conflicting interest involving some of the authors. All parties are not heading in the same

direction.

4. Faulty e-commerce software.

5. Leak in the company causing private information to be publicized.

6. No backup plan to deal with the issues stated above.

7. Low employee morale.

8. Budget constraints

Although the issues stated above are very serious, Harrison-Keyes may experience some growth and profit with the successful implementation of ePublishing.

Some Opportunities include:

Opportunities

1. The chance to turn negative publicity into positive advertisement by making changes to the

organizational structure.

2. Increase in sales and profitability, although the latest numbers are lower than original

estimates

Stakeholder Perspectives/Ethical Dilemmas

Among the stakeholders that are affected by this scenario are the Harrison-Keyes board of directors, the Authors that Harrison-Keyes publishes, the leadership team and the CEO. In addition, the readers of e-commerce and traditional books are also stakeholders. Each stakeholder has his or her own set of values that may or may not coincide with the plan to move into ePublishing. For example, the board of directors may thing the ePublishing is a new avenue in which shareholder value can be increased through increased sales, while the Authors see ePublishing as a threat to their creativity through what they believe would be easy copy write infringement.

Another example of competing values could include the leadership team versus the CEO. The CEO is not a big fan of ePublishing, and sees the problems as inadequate management by the current staff. While the current management has created the problems with the implementation and if they continue to be unsuccessful, they could possibly lose their jobs.

The customer base also seems to be moving toward eBooks while traditional paper publishers are being driven out of business because of increased competition and the cost cutting activities of retailers.

Frame the "Right" Problem

In order to remain a leading publisher of business, scientific and technical information, Harrison-Keyes must research outsourcing as a solution and other alternatives, motivate employees to work toward the companies vision, increase profits, and eliminate any leaks to outside companies within the organization. There definitely exist a problem in Harrison-Keyes structure, leadership and culture. The problem is worth solving, in order to increase profits and to become a competitive force with competing low-cost retailers.

Conclusion

Complicated decisions are prevalent in today's business environment. The effective management of the issues and opportunities presented are an integral part of any successful firm. The Harrison-Keyes scenario presents a practical picture of the issues faced by many firms in an ever-growing global business environment. Organizations that master effective decision-making