WE GOOGLED YOU
SUBMITTED TO PROF. MADHUSHRI SHRIVASTAVA IN PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE WRITTEN ANALYSIS
& COMMUNICATION COURSE BY RAHUL VERMA (2013PGP305)
SECTION E
FEBRUARY 7, 2014
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LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
6th Feb-2014
Prof. Madhushri Shrivastava
Faculty, Written Analysis and Communication
IIM Indore
Sub: Submission of report on the case We Googled You.
Dear Madam,
As per your instructions, I have analyzed the case We Googled You as the part of the Written Analysis
and Communication course. The report that contains the results of the analysis is attached. In the
current situation that Fred faces it is recommended that he should hire Mimi, keep her in US and let her
formulate strategy for the expansion plans in China.
Yours sincerely,
Rahul Verma
2013PGP305
Section E
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Executive Summary
Fred Westen, CEO of Hathaway Jones is in a dilemma whether to hire Mimi Brewster and make her a
part of companys expansion plan in China. Fred seemed to be convinced of Mimis ability after the first
meeting backed by her strong credentials. Virginia, the VP of HR after running a Google search on Mimi
came to know that she had been a part of few non-violent protests, one of them was held outside
Chinas consulate. Since this was out in the internet it could be used against the organization.
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Contents
Situation Analysis .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Problem ......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Options .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
Criteria for Evaluation ................................................................................................................................... 6
Evaluation of Options.................................................................................................................................... 6
Recommendation.......................................................................................................................................... 7
Action Plan .................................................................................................................................................... 8
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Situation Analysis
Fred Westen was the CEO of Hathaway Jones, a luxury apparel retailer. Despite sales of $5 million in
2006, the companys image was taking a hit. Younger segment of the population in US were looking for
more affordable clothing, with more flair. The sales of the high priced designer clothes were declining.
Fred observed that Chinas luxury market was growing at a rate of 70%. And so Fred decided to expand
the business into china.
John an old friend of Fred came to know about companys expansion plan and suggested her daughter
Mimis name for the same. Mimi was born in China. She majored in modern Chinese history and
graduated cum laude. She took a job in management consultancy firm. Two years later she went to
Stanford. After graduation she was recruited at Eleanor Gaston, the largest clothing, shoes and
accessories company in US. She worked there for four years and developed a good taste of fashion. She
played an instrumental role in launch of two brands.
Mimi was invited for an interview by Fred. Mimi was very confident and presented facts and insights
that would strengthen her position for the job. Fred liked the ideas and her past credentials
supplemented her cause.
Virginia Flanders, the vice president of human resources, at Hathaway Jones wasnt much of an admirer
of Fred. They had been at loggerheads about the way Fred chose his top team. She believed Fred relied
too much on his sixth sense to choose people for the board. Virginia was carrying out a routine
background check on Mimi. She googled her name and after a detailed search found out that Mimi had
carried out some non-violent but vocal protest against the world trade organization. She was also
involved in a protest against Chinas treatment of a dissident journalist.
Virginia reported all the information she had gathered. Fred suggested that they should talk to Mimi and
let her explain her side of the story. Also they also understood that they cant reject Mimi on the
account of what they had gathered after a Google search.
Fred had to finally decide what decision to take. Mimis protest against the Chinas consulate could be
used against her by their competitor or Chinas government or a any other authorized body. Fred was
caught in two minds to hire her and take a risk or let go of a person who seemed to be the best fit for
the job.
Problem
Fred had to take a decision whether to hire Mimi or not after seeing her involvement in some protests
few years ago, that could be used against the organization if she is leading the organizations expansion
plans in China.
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Options
1.
2.
3.
4.
Hire Mimi for Chinas expansion plan
Dont hire Mimi
Confront Mimi and then take a decision
Hire her, keep her in US and let her formulate strategy for Chinese expansion plan
Criteria for Evaluation
1. Business condition of Hathaway Jones :- Improving the business prospect of the company
rather than deteriorating it
2. Credentials of the candidate for appointment:- person being appointed for the job should be
able enough to take such a huge responsibility
3. Behavior of Chinese government:- Chinese government acting against Mimi for her previous
involvements in protest against them
4. Relations with Mimis father John: - Since John recommended her daughters name. If Fred
doesnt hire Mimi, his relation with Fred might get spoiled
Evaluation of Options
1. Hire Mimi for Chinas expansion plan: - Mimi is certainly an able candidate for the job(Criteria
2). Hiring and placing her in china (Criteria 1) will help in the expansion because of her
knowledge of the Chinese culture and history and her excellent credentials in fashion. But
because of her past it might prove detrimental. Chinese government (Criteria 3) being a
communist one, is infamous for its treatment of people who have raised their voice against
them. Also being a patriarchal society they dont like women being vested with so much power.
Though by hiring her
2. Do not hire Mimi: - If Fred doesnt hires Mimi, he can still go forward with the plan of expansion
(Criteria 1) by finding some other candidate for the job. Though it may be difficult to find
someone with both, the right credentials and cultural fit for the job. Chinese government
(Criteria3) will not come into picture. The person appointed in place of her will have to satisfy
the credentials (Credit 1) for such a critical job. Freds relation with John will definitely take a hit.
3. Confront Mimi and then take a decision: - Fred can have one more round of interview with
Mimi. He should try and get more information about Mimis past. He should not directly point at
the information he has at it can be used by Mimi against the organization if they choose not to
hire her. If her side of the story is different than what they have perceived and he believes that
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it wont be of much significance in their operation in China, he can take her onboard. Hiring her
will satisfy criteria 1 and 2 and if Fred feels she can justify criteria 3 and handle such a situation
he could hire her otherwise not. In case he doesnt hire Mimi, she can go against Fred for
running a Google search and violating privacy laws. Criteria 4 will depend on the outcome of
previous statement.
4. Hire her, keep her in US and let her formulate strategy for Chinese expansion plan: - Fred
could hire Mimi on one condition. Rather than sending her to China she could work on the
project from US. She would still be handling the expansion plans and providing her insights. In
this way all the four criteria will be satisfied
Options
Criteria
Hire Mimi
for Chinas
expansion
plan
Dont hire Mimi
Confront Mimi
and then take a
decision
Hire her, keep her in US and
let her formulate strategy
for Chinese expansion plan
business
condition of
Hathaway Jones
Credentials of
the candidate for
appointment
Behavior of
Chinese
government
Relations with
Mimis father
John
Recommendation
After evaluating the various options and factoring in the possible consequences it is suggested that Fred
should hire Mimi, keep her in US and let her formulate strategy for Chinese expansion plan. Since
Hathaway being a well established brand Mimi will get a lot of opportunities to prove her.
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Action Plan
Fred should plan a meeting with Mimi and: Explain Mimi that some information has come up while performing her background check without
explicitly mentioning Google search
Let her know he is convinced that she is the right person for the job
Allow her to handle the operations from US rather than visiting China
Make her realize that Hathaway Jones being a big brand, a number of opportunities will come up
where she can apply her skills and knowledge and do well for the organization and herself.
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