1. Team Building is typically used in OD to loosen up an over-organized system that is too rigid and bureaucratic. In this case, team building is aimed at providing structure to an under-organized system. In doing a diagnosis, what factors are important to consider in determining whether a company or team is over- or under-organized?
In determining whether a company or team is over- or under-organized there are strengths and concerns that must both be considered. The strengths that need to be addressed are:
1. High commitment to the company and its mission
2. norms of honesty and straightforwardness
3. smart and articulate management
4. high interest in growth and learning
5. founders and general manager as role-models.
The concerns that must be addressed are:
1. People and systems not keeping pace with growth
2. lack of clear structure roles and teamwork
3. lack of common mission, direction, and priorities
4. people are stretched to the limit
5. founders and general manager are both company’s greatest strength and greatest weakness.
What are the implications for planning an OD intervention?
In this case planning an intervention was needed because nobody was taking responsibility for anything. They had no guidelines or structure to go by in their work. Ben and Jerry wanted to make it a fun family work environment. In doing this, they lacked the means to place authority in to effect. If things got broken nobody would man up and take responsibility for their own actions. If Ben and Jerry would have placed authority above fun this could have been avoided. If they would have been boss before friend it would not have gotten to this point.
The Research paper on Tucker Company Organizing
I. POINT OF VIEW This case analysis takes the point of view of Mr. Harnett, the president of Tucker Company. Being the top manager, he is the one responsible for overseeing the current status and developments of the company. Moreover, he is the one in-charge for taking necessary actions regarding the inevitable occurrences of conflicts within the company and among the company’s employees. He is ...
2. Is team building a good way to launch an OD effort in this case?
Team building was a very good way to launch an OD effort at Ben & Jerry’s for three reasons.
a) it was crucial for managers to begin to think of themselves as managers and as members of the management team.
b) the managers would be assuming new responsibilities heretofore in the hands of the founders and general manager.
c) managers had to collectively commit to taking on new responsibilities and learn new methods for working together.
When the groups went to the retreat, at first they failed at what they were doing. The trope test, once they stepped back and took a moment, they realized it emphasized the importance of personal courage and peer support in tackling the unknown.
Other approaches?
Once Ben & Jerry got started on a teamwork approach, they came up with other goals to get people motivated in their work. This also got management together to work out their differences and unify the company. Together they talked over all of the issues relating to trust and relative powers, and made a pact that the company would remain committed to high quality production, good works, and fun.
3. What next steps would you recommend?
Other steps I would take or recommend to this company would include:
1. Plan follow-up meetings to make sure the company and management stay on track.
2. Keep employees involved and motivated with what is going on and what is expected of them.
3. Give employees more responsibility so they can be rewarded for the work and effort that they put in.
4. Make people responsible for their actions.
5. Make sure authority is always placed first over fun so management still has the means to correct employees and still have fun.