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LISA BENTON :CASE ANALYSIS

Mihika Yadav

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Homecare : Hierarchical Chart

Product Manager ( Deborah

Linton)

Associate product Manager

( Ron Scoville)

Assistant Product Manager

( Liza Benton )

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How did I get into this mess ?

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Rejecting the offer at Right Away◦ Hesitant to take up much responsibility◦ Liza was not sure about reactions of VP (Operations) towards her◦ Right Away was a small company, with headquarters in a rundown

warehouse section in Chicago◦ No women mangers around

Gap between expectations & reality at Houseworld◦ She expected to receive classical marketing training in a structured

environment◦ She presumed that the hygiene factors were better in Houseworld ◦ Her relationship with Linton and Scoville was not good as both of them

had stereotype attitude towards MBA graduates◦ She was asked to perform clerical tasks◦ Linton failed to mentor her properly◦ Benton was frustrated as she got a negative performance feedback◦ She was unsure how to manage her relationship with Scoville & Linton◦ She was not true to her own character

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Social penetration theory

◦ Deborah (As seen by Lisa):

Confident and sophisticated Jealous (Resents MBAs) Control freak (Makes it clear to Lisa that she is the

boss) Not trustworthy (Doesn’t guide Lisa even though

she promises her) Articulate and persuasive Manipulating (Tries to alienate Lisa from various

marketing presentations) Not encouraging Finicky (typing incident) Illogical (Sides with Ron on copying incident) Inconsistent ( feedback)

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Ron (As seen by Lisa):

◦Unkempt◦Acts like overbearing big brother◦Hypocrite (tells Lisa to follow rules

even though he thinks himself to be above them)

◦Condescending◦High headedness◦Superiority complex◦Brusque◦ Ill mannered (yelled at Lisa before

whole office)◦Destructive behavior

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JOHARI WINDOWKNOWN TO SELF NOT KNOWN TO SELF

KNOWN TO OTHERS

• Enthusiastic• Friendly• Professional• Outgoing• Quick learner

• Non-assertive• Non-initiator• Lack of confidence

(Kingston had faith)

NOT KNOWN TO OTHERS

• Analytical Skills• Intellectual Capacity• Ambitious• Organizational abilities• Underutilized• Frustrated

• Potential• Ability to judge others

character.(Scoville’s in particular)

Window Right away Houseworld

Open Large Small

Blind Small Large

Hidden Small Large

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Transactional Analysis1. Lisa’s dominant ego was that of adaptive child and

rebellious child

2. Deborah’s dominant ego was that of critical parent.

3. Kingston’s dominant ego was that of nurturing parent.

4. Hence Lisa got along well with Kingston while she felt suffocated under Deborah.

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FIRO-B Lisa

INCLUSION CONTROL AFFECTION

EXPRESSED LOW - MEDIUM1.Did not contribute opinions in meeting2. Socializing with other assistant product managers

MEDIUM-HIGH1. Got the work done at Right Away2.Lacks assertiveness at Household.

HIGH1.Got along well with staff2.Fixed the heading of charts of secretary on vacation

WANTED HIGH1.Tried several times to get answers from Linton.2.Feels Linton under-utilized her abilities

HIGH1. Curbed her natural instincts to please her boss

HIGH1.Wanted Linton to make time for her2.Shared her feeling of frustration with Carter.

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FIRO-B Deborah

Right Away INCLUSION CONTROL AFFECTION

EXPRESSED LOW1. Showed no

inclination in getting to know Lisa.

HIGH1. Clearly told Lisa

who her boss is.2. Was upset when

Vernon spoke to Lisa directly

LOW1. No mention of

social life apart from rumored affair with Ron

WANTED LOW1. Rejected Lisa

attempts to form more cordial relationship

LOW1. Would not

delegate work.2. Didn’t

encourage Lisa to speak at meetings

LOW1. Didn’t

encourage Lisa’s attempts to get to know her better.

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FIRO-B KingstonRight Away INCLUSION CONTROL AFFECTION

EXPRESSED HIGH1. Made Right-

Away tightly knit organization

2. Gave Lisa part time consulting

N/A HIGH1. Even though

upset with Lisa’s decision to not join his firm, he wished her good luck

WANTED HIGH1. Trained interns

so that they could fit into the organization

HIGH1. He let Lisa take

initiative and start nonmerchandising services

HIGH1. Wanted loyalty

from Lisa because he had invested a lot of time and effort in her.

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FIRO- B Analysis

Lisa and Kingston’s relation was very cordial because there FIRO – B results were complimentary.

Lisa’s and Deborah’s FIRO-B were not complementary and that could explain the friction in their relationship.

Kingston

Lisa

Deborah Lisa

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So what can I do now?

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Option 1 : Bear with Deborah and Ron until her permanent position is allotted (status quo)

Option 2 : Have clear-the-air discussions with Deborah and Ron and chalk out a plan which suits all of them.

Option 3 : Ask Vernon to switch her to another brand

Option 4 : Approach Kingston to see if she could join Right-Away right away.