Patrick Soutar Alexis Harrison Lewis Miller Eric Studholme Mariann Jajo-Yacoub

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AGENDA

SummaryCritical AssumptionsProblem AnalysisImplicationsAlternativesRecommendationImplementation

Ze TargetCase Study

SummaryZe Target is a software development companyZe Target specialises in the development of technologies for smartphonesCurrently, Ze Target is looking to promote their product with the use of marketingAs it stands, they are inefficiently doing so by making their top programmers do the marketingTo fix this, Ze Target is looking to hire an individual to act as an in-house marketing agentZe Target is finding this difficult however, as they have an ‘easy going’ work environment, and the employees they keep trying to hire do not enjoy the environment they are working inThe three founders are looking for Team KEMPS Consulting firm to find a solution to the problem at hand

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Critical Assumptions There are a lack of rules and regulations in the work place

Ze Target feels as though this led to their success

The employees have innovative ideas for programmingThe employees have a great love for developing games for the iPhone, which led to

their initial success

There is a lack of communication between old and new employeesThe ‘easy going’ attitude of the older employees did not mesh with the

expectations of new hirees

ProblemThe problem which is presented in Ze Targets situation is the issue of finding a solution that hopefully does not change their desired atmosphere in the workplace while finding a method of marketing their product without the programmers doing it themselves

Finding an employee takes time away from programming

The new employees are not enjoying the ‘easy going’ attitude and are not staying with the company for long

Alternatives

Change Ze Target’s Culture

Continue the search

Consider a marketing firm

Implications On the Organization

On the personnel

- Not being able to find a marketing employee forces the programmers to market which reduces efficiency

- The employees are less happy, and therefore less productive, since they are forced to market instead of program, which is their passion

Change the organizations culture ProsBy becoming more receptive to the attitudes expressed by potential employees during interviews and switching up the office culture, it would become far easier to find someone who is a good fit for the workplace.

ConsZe Target believes that their laissez-faire attitude was the key to their success in the first place. Altering something that has worked so well may not be the best idea.

Continue the Job search ProsBy continuing to search for an employee, Ze Target has the chance to find an employee who can not only put up with but truly appreciate Ze Target’s way of doing things. This way, the job position will be filled, and Ze Target’s culture will remain unchanged.

ConsUndergoing a job search is expensive; not only are there costs for advertising the job opening, but those that are hiring have several time costs due to interviewing, reading resumés, conducting background checks, etc.

Contract a Marketing Firm ProsAs they would work from outside of the office, they would still get as much marketing work done without affecting Ze Target’s marketing style; the laissez-faire management style can be maintained and the original team of programmers can continue to work in the environment that best suits them.If this option is taken, there is no need to bring in an employee who will not fit the company’s philosophy. ConsDue to the fact that it is an outside consulting firm rather than an employee, any input that is given may not be taken directly.The firm is not a full-time employee, so while they will set up marketing campaigns and such, they are not available for other jobs such as going out and actually selling the product. A hard-working, lifelong employee can be a valuable asset, but the firm will only be backing you for as long as the job’s duration.Depending on how much marketing is needed, paying a full-time employee can sometimes be less costly.

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Recommendation

Marketing Firm:A marketing firm will be the best option for our client because

-Our client can maintain their culture-Our client will receive superior service in contrast to an in-house marketing agency-Our client can end the job search

Immediate Implementations

- Create a RFP- Find a marketing firm with experience in their field- Send out RFP to those whom Ze Target can see themselves

working with

SHORT-Term Implementations

- Meet with firms to check on their proposals- Outline expectations- Creating a contract with a marketing firm that best fits Ze Targets

goals

Long-Term Implementations

- Monitor Performance