Situation Analysis and Problem Statement: Harrison Keyes Incorporated - Essay Example

Every functional area in a business entity is interrelated as the functioning of one is dependent and will affect the others. Thus, coordination in the different functional areas is essential in ensuring the survival and success in a business organization. It is also imperative that the head of the organization become a major force in pursuing the strategies crafted by the company. Leading is one of the essential functions of managers which should not be overlooked since the direction of a company hinges on how a leader directs his staff in achieving company's goals (Erven 1994).

These concepts are strongly related to the current scenario experienced by Harrison-Keyes. Currently, Harrison-Keyes is facing major dilemmas in implementing its plans of broadening its product line through the utilization of e-publishing in bringing reading materials to its client base. The company scenario shows a lot of problems which requires immediate action for the company to continue its operation. Harrison-Keyes does not only experience the setbacks of having a new leader but several internal and external problems.

One of the major issues faced by the company is the conflict or miscommunication with between the company and its employees. The employees seem to be having a hard time coping up with the outsourcing process. The workforce fear that the company will downsize due to outsourcing. This makes some of them resort to resignation. A Another issue is related to outsourcing. Asia Digital Publishing, the company hired by Harrison-Keyes to design and format e-books were beset by natural calamities and fail to perform.

This leads to the issue of production delays as the company's tight schedules cannot be possibly met under the circumstances. Harrison-Keyes also deals with exhausted financial resources leaving them with meager amount to fund other marketing campaigns. Marketing strategies utilized by the company were not able to generate the forecasted level of income. This can also imply that the company's marketing mix is either inappropriate or not implemented properly. There is also a conflict between the strategy pursued by the company and the personal conviction of the newly hired CEO, William Guardo.

It should be noted that the new CEO is not a big fan of e-publishing. It seems inappropriate that he is leading the company in the e-publishing effort when he doesn't think that e-publishing is the strategy in boosting the performance of Harrison-Keyes. The company's lack of contingency plan is another issue. The lack of a minutia fails to insulate Harrison-Keyes from the numerous problems arising. Opportunity Identification Table 2 presents the opportunities which can be taken advantage by Harrison-Keyes.

Harrison-Keyes can take advantage of growing trend of global outsourcing. This is a good way of minimizing the company's expenses in publishing. However, with regards to Asia Publishing Company the company should be cautious in selecting companies to outsource. Another opportunity which is presented to any publishing industry