MANAGERIAL DILEMMAS AT ALBERTA MOBILE HOUSE LTD

Alberta Mobile House is a modular home and furniture factory located in Calgary,
Alberta, Canada, with approximately 250 workers. Alice Butkus, president of the firm, recently
attended a human resources management seminar in Calgary, led by Professor Warren Simson of
the University of Calgary's Business School. After completing the seminar, Alice approached
Simson and asked if she would like to come to her company to consult with her on several
human resources management issues.
"Of course, I would be delighted!" Simson replied, and a few days later he came to
Calgary to meet Butkus.
Alice ran into the problem as follows: “See, Warren, we have problems in the system of
promoting and evaluating the professional performances of our workers. Let me describe two
situations that have occurred in the last two months. We are in full development and have
doubled the work force in the last year and a half. That means we need to change some people in
leadership, which is not to be saved. ”
"Recently, George Drester, the head of the forecasting department, came to say that he
had been struggling for some months with some problems. He promoted Jay Gilbreth as a senior
six months ago. He was good at the job, but he was not, unfortunately, a good supervisor, the
workers did not like him. Jay himself was aware of the situation, and George asks what he can do
with it. ”
"Then, Butkus continues, it is the case of Ed Bankhead, the head of marketing, I asked
him to recommend someone to be promoted as sales manager for several weeks, and so far I
have not received any recommendation! What do I have to do with it?
Simson went to meet Bankhead and after a few introductory sentences put the point on
"i". "Look Ed, I'm here to try to establish a staff promotion policy. Honestly, Alice thought you
were a problem and wanted to know what you think about the position of sales manager! "
Bankhead changed his position on the chair. He then described in a few words the people he had
thought of:
James Prior, 10 years experience in construction industry sales, complex personality, no
management experience, high school specialized.
 Helen Cortney, 4 years sales experience at Alberta Mobile House, good sales person in
the branch, very quiet, often introverted, without driving experience.
Matt Dotler, the eldest of the three, 13 years sales experience, 5 of them at Alberta
Mobile House, pale personality. He supervises two workers in the company.
"Honestly," said Bankhead, leaning toward Helen. I think from the best sales worker we
can become the best sales manager. But, really, I failed to make my choice in the end. How could
I do it?
Simson told him he could at least make this proposal. Then he visited Drester, "What to
do with Jay? Drester asked. I can't destroy it. "
Simson asked Drester to tell him where he knows the workers don't like Gilbreth. He
quickly realized that this was only Drester's opinion and that it was not based on facts or
objective opinions. He also learned that Drester did not try to discuss the solution of the deadlock
with Gilbreth, or to try to advise or help him.

Topics for discussion:

Assuming you are Professor Simson, write a report detailing the recommendations you
make to the company president, Alice Butkus, of which one copy will be sent to Drester and
Bankhead. The report could include recommendations on:
1. A decision regarding promotion for the sales manager
2. A promotional option to help Bankhead
3. Your opinion about Drester and Gilbreth.