ABC Investments: Senior VP of Human Resources
ABC Investment is an American global investment management corporation based in Boston. With a market capitalization of over $XX billion, the firm sells mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and closed-end funds, in addition to other vehicles that focus on objectives ranging from retirement income to college saving plans. ABC Investment has experienced growth above the industry average for the past five years.
The company is facing a number of serious challenges. First, the company has experienced explosive growth, causing friction among divisions competing against each other for power. Second, due to external competition, divisions are being asked to work cross-functionally on more and more projects, especially as ABC Investment expands in new markets.
You are a senior analyst at ABC Investment working on setting up a new project team. Your task is to work with the other analysts to recommend the best project head from the attached list of three finalists. You should prepare by reviewing your information about the three candidates and selecting which one of the three candidates you prefer.
Finalists for Project Head
Suzanne T. Valdez
Current Position:
• Senior Finance Analyst at ABC Investment
Past Positions:
• Analyst at Price Waterhouse
• Various positions in finance division of ABC Investment over the last 18 years
Education:
• Executive MBA, 5 years ago
Kristin B. Koljord
Current Position:
• Senior Finance Analyst at XYZ Investment (ABC Investment’s chief competition)
Past positions:
• Worked for two years in sales for IBM
• Various managerial positions at Technology Solutions, Inc
Education:
• MBA in finance, 15 years ago.
Nancy F. Larson
Current Position:
• Senior Accounting Analyst at ABC Investment
Past positions:
• Securities and Exchange Commission Analyst
• Various positions in accounting division at ABC Investment
Education:
• MBA, 15 years ago
• CPA, 19 years ago
Confidential Information for Senior VP of Human Resources
As Senior VP of Human Resources, you are especially concerned that the new project lead be able to help the company heal its internal wounds. At a minimum, you want to be sure the new addition to the team does not add to the already rocky relationships among members of the top management team. The following is information that you have collected from sources within your own division of ABC Investment. Your sources are CONFIDENTIAL, so this information must not be shown to the other members of the top management team. It can be discussed, however.
Suzanne T. Valdez
Personal Attributes:
• Has a habit of being late to meetings
• Good at attention to detail
Other Information Known About This Candidate:
• Placed first in a local photography contest
• Likes to play chess
Kristin B. Koljord
Personal Attributes:
• An excellent public speaker
• Some staff complain that she can be overbearing interpersonally
• Detail-oriented personality
Other Information Known About This Candidate:
• Chaired the United Way charity drive for Technology Solutions, Inc.
• Worked in London for two years in the finance division of the European operation of Technology Solutions, Inc.
Nancy F. Larson
Personal Attributes:
• Good at attention to detail
• Does not remember to recognize the contributions of others once projects are complete
Other Information Known About This Candidate:
• Completed managerial leadership course offered by the company
• Subordinates report that she is demanding, but fair
Which candidate do you currently support for project head?
Suzanne T. Valdez
Kristin B. Koljord
Nancy F. Larson
Why did you select your particular candidate?