Page 30 - DMGT520_ORGANIZATION_CHANGE_AND_DEVELOPMENT

Unit 2: Nature of Planned Change

Notes
matter of weeks and they have to be computer generated to fit straight into our new
machinery. Our people haven’t been trained on them yet so we will have to subcontract
this to some freelance designers who specialize in this field. They will do the design for us
and we should be able to meet the six-week deadline with some ease.”
Sunanda paused.” So who is going to actually make all these lovely new golf sweaters
then, and who will tell Tinna and Co. that we can’t provide them with any knitwear for the
next nine months? You cant just tell the design shop that they are surplus to requirements
for the next couple of weeks, and then tell Tinna that we are sorry but they will have to
wait. That’s not how we do business, isn’t it?”
Samir’s reply was succinct and to the point. “Sunanda, this is a new millennium. If this
company is going to survive it has to become an international concern. Sure, Tinna is a big
contract for us but we will deal with that problem, when it arises. As for the designers,
I am going to have a meeting with all operating staff this afternoon and let them have the
good news.”

Work stopped at Pillco at 4.30 p.m. that day. Samir Sethi accompanied by Aman Kalra and
Sunanda Rakhija, addressed the staff at the company cafeteria. Samir started off in ebullient
mood. “ Well, the situation facing us is one that I am sure other companies would like to
be in. I am sure you are aware by now that we have managed to win the biggest order in
this company’s short history, with the Japanese golf company, Kokuna. This assures our
futures and means that jobs are secure. However, it does put us under a bit of pressure.
To this end I have made arrangements with an outside design and production team to join
us temporarily to design and manufacture the Kokuna sweaters on our new equipment.
This should allow the rest of you to carry on with your normal duties, allowing us to meet
the tight deadlines Kokuna have set. The outside team will be independent and will
gradually bring in our own staff on design and production matters when they feel that the
time to pass on the contract is right. To me, it’s the best of both the worlds, and with a little
bit of a squeeze we can do the Kokuna work and still satisfy the need of our other customers.
There are good times ahead, lots of hard work, but I am sure you will agree with me that
it will be worth the struggle in the end?”
Samir’s comments were met initially with stunned silence. However, it did not take long
for murmuring to begin. The first comments came from one of the designers: “Are you
saying that we aren’t good enough to do the design for the new sweaters? “ “ Yeah, and we
can’t handle the new machinery so we will buy in some smart alecs from outside, is that
it?” The meeting soon deteriorated into a slinging match from the floor, with comments
such as,” We’re only good for the simple stuff’”, Who are these outsiders anyway?”,” and
Don’t you trust us to be able to deliver this for you?
As the meeting finally began to get out of hand, Samir turned to the assembled group and
said, “ Who do you people think you are? We bring in the biggest order we’ve ever had
and all you can think about is yourselves. Obviously we will have to get this situation
resolved before we go anywhere.” However, on his way out of the cafeteria he turned to
Sunanada. “These bolshie lots need a good sorting out. Come and see me tomorrow
morning first thing and we will get to the bottom of this.”
Questions
1. Was Samir Sethi wrong? How should he have approached the situation?
2. What advice will you give to Sunanda before the Tuesday morning meeting?

3. How should Pillco try to recover the situation?

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