MANAGING VIRUS

HUNTER’S
 About the Case Study………

 This case study is about the

computer virus hunter’s at
Symantec Corporation. Vincent Weafer
 Reality of work life at corporation.
 Job of the employee’s.
 Challenges faced by the employee’s.
 Highlights of the corporation……

 Situation in 1999
 Increase in workload
 Diverse group of members
 Launch of BLASTER-B Worm
 Weafer’s managerial challenges.
Attempting the Case Study……..

Period

Industry

Culture

product

Competition.
 Placards of Case Study…..

 The period in this case study is from

1999-2003.
 Vincent Weafer has been the member of
virus hunting team since 1999.
 Launch of Blaster-B worm took place in
2003.
 Symantec is a global software
company.
 To provide complete online security
to its customers & safety to cyber
world.
The culture within the organization
was……..
 Chaotic,

 Fast,

 Energetic,

 Disorganized &

 Challenging in Nature.
 Symantec corporation deals with the
antivirus software.
 The product provides protection against
harmful contents for the computers.
 Symantec is a long term survivor
since 1982.
 POINTS TO PONDER

[Q] How Vincent Weafer used his

technical, human & conceptual
skills to maintain an
environment that encourages
his virus hunters ?
 TECHNICAL SKILLS
 Provide security storage n system management
solution

 Specialization of wk force, Acc to (Taylor: wk was

divided into smaller parts n specialization)

 The work never stopped, to maintain efficiency

 Eg: When Santa Monica’s team finished, Tokyo

took over, which handed over to Japanese then to
Dublin and back to Santa Monica.
 HUMAN SKILLS

 Coaching and mentoring the workers

 Networking outside the organization

 Working in a team to combat the problem

 Increased the work-force and work was

done globally round the clock.
 CONCEPTUAL
 Using information to solve business
problems

 Recognizing the problems and finding

solutions
[Q] What management roles would Vincent
be playing as-

a) He had weekly security briefing

conference calls with co-workers around
the globe

b) He assessed the feasibility of adding a

new network security consulting service

c) He kept employees focused on the

company’s commitments to customers ?
a) Based on the study by Henry
Mintzberg managers have different but
highly inter-related roles.
According to this we can analyze that
Vincent has approached towards
Interpersonal role as he worked as a
figurehead,
leader,
liaison and also
informational role as he act as a
monitor and
a disseminator.
b) In this context Vincent has proved
that he has approached towards
Decisional role as he worked as a
disturbance handler and
resource allocator.
c) Here Vincent worked as a
figurehead a leader,
as he provoked his employees to
focus on company’s commitments to
customers thus fulfilling the
interpersonal role.
[Q] Go to Symantec’s Website (
www.symantec.com) and look up for
information about the company.
What can you tell about its emphasis on
customer service and innovation? In
what ways does the organization
support in servicing customers and in
being innovative?
ABOUT THE COMPANY

 Symantec was founded in 1982 by visionary

computer scientists. The company has
evolved to become one of the world’s largest
software companies.

 They provide security, storage and systems

management solutions to help customers
secure and manage their information-driven
world against more risks at more points,
more completely and efficiently than any
other company.
EMPHASIS ON CUSTOMER SERVICE AND
INNOVATION

 Pursue core purpose with an unrelenting

focus on Innovation and Customer
satisfaction.

 While the overall computing environment

has undergone tremendous change in
recent years, they remain committed to
helping ensure confidence in today’s
connected world.
INNOVATION

 Symantec’s strategy of “open

innovation” focuses on delivering
the best solutions to its customers.

 These solutions come as a result of

building them internally, developing
them with technology partners or
acquiring them outright.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
 Customer-driven is a Symantec core value and a
priority at every level of the company, from
executives to individual contributors.

 They invite the comments on their progress to date

form customers and look forward to further engaging
with them to innovate a better future.

 Earning Customer loyalty is Symantec’s first priority.

That's why they direct their business based on the
feedback received from customers, both consumer
and business alike.
EMPLOYEES
 Symantec assures top-notch training
and a working environment that fosters
innovation to its employees.

 Our recruiting success to date affords

us the distinct competitive advantages
of a first-class global workforce.
[Q] What could other managers learn
from Vincent Weafer and Symantec
approach ?
 1) Employees should not be treated as machines
 2) Ability to work well with people in diverse
cultural environment
 3) competitive advantage through efficiency.
 4)Recognize problem areas and implement
solutions.
 5)Customer focus.
 6)Reviewing operations and implementing
improvements.
 7)Time Management.
 8)Identifying opportunities for innovation.