SCENARIO
CONDUCTING A PROBLEM-SOLVING MEETING
122
12.4
SITUATION
Apparel Unlimited is a clothing manufacturing company
based in downtown Los Angeles, California. It makes
a wide range of basic clothing products for men and
women aged 18–40. The management try to create
a family atmosphere for the 2,500 workers in the
company, and emphasise in all their literature that their
staff are their greatest asset. Up to now, the management
has had good relations with the union representatives.
In the last three years, their profits have fallen because
of cheap foreign imports of clothing and the general
depressed state of the economy. They are looking at
ways of reducing their costs and increasing workers’
productivity. They are planning to invest heavily in
state-of-the-art cutting and sewing machines which will
increase the production staff’s efficiency and ability to
produce more goods, more quickly while maintaining
their quality.
The management have not yet told staff about their plan
and are thinking about the best way to break the news
to them. The new machines will affect about 1,800 staff,
mainly those in the cutting and sewing areas, but also in
product design. Over 60 percent of the workforce have
been in the company for more than ten years.
2
Work in small groups. Rumours are already
circulating in the company that the management are
going to make cuts in the workforce. How do you
think the workers will react when they learn about the
plan to introduce state-of-the-art sewing and cutting
machines?
3
a
12.3
Listen to two workers, Jessie and Carol, talking
about the rumour and take notes on the key points.
3
b
Work with a partner. One of you summarises
the conversation. The other listens and checks the
summary for accuracy.
4
a
Work in small groups. Because of the rumours,
the management realises they must inform staff that
they are considering new technology to modernise the
production process. Discuss the options they have for
communicating their plan. Consider the advantages
and disadvantages and decide which method is best.
1
an email message sent by the CEO (Chief Executive
Officer) to all members of staff
2
an announcement by each head of department to
their staff
3
an announcement by the CEO at a public meeting
with staff most likely to be affected by the new
technology
4
an article by the CEO in the weekly staff newspaper
informing everyone of the plans
4
b
Compare your decision with the decisions of other
groups. Try to persuade them that your decision is the
right one.
1
Read the situation about Apparel Unlimited and
answer the questions.
1
What are the basic facts about Apparel Unlimited?
What do they make? Where? How big is the workforce?
2
How does the management get on with the unions?
3
What do Apparel Unlimited plan to do in the
near future?
4
Why are they planning the change?
5
Which departments will be affected by the
company’s plan?
