BMGT 364 Project 3 (Week 6) - Leading

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BMGT 364 Project 3 (Week 6) - Leading Project 3 is due on Tuesday of Week 6 at 11:59 p.m. eastern time. Purpose In this project, you will demonstrate an understanding of management and leadership. You will be exposed to various leadership skills and styles. After reading the project's case scenario, you will apply what has been learned to make recommendations for a new position at Tasty Products. Keep in mind that this project is a research project and not an essay. The student is expected to make significant use of course materials. Your completed project will be 5-6 pages in length , excluding its title and reference page. Outcome Met by Completing This Assignment  Demonstrate leadership skills by communicating a shared vision, motivating and empowering others, and creating a culture of ethical decision-making and innovation. How to Set Up the Paper  Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document that is double-spaced using 12-point font.  Create an APA-compliant title page to include: the project title, date, course number, section numbers, student's name, and instructor's name.

Scenario Tasty Products, a billion-dollar multinational company, has for more than 25 years has developed, produced, and distributed organic food products to major retailers (e.g., Whole Foods; Costco, Safeway) throughout the United States. These products are noted for their salutary effects, including stable blood glucose levels. Tasty Products has recently decided to launch a new line of products. It will develop, produce, and distribute all-naturally flavored protein bars to its new and existing clients. This new line of all- naturally flavored protein bars will necessitate establishing a new division to develop, produce, market, and distribute the product. A new Executive Vice President will need to be selected to establish and lead the new division. Your company, Wiz Consultants, has been retained to help Tasty Products' Human Resources Director make the final selection from the candidates she has previously interviewed and narrowed to three (3) possibilities. She has prepared a detailed written profile for each candidate. Tasty Products' Human Resources Director has explained to you that she has been directed to find the best person to establish and run the new division. The Human Resources Director further explained that the protein bar industry consists of many well- established companies. Accordingly, the ideal candidate will need to learn quickly and handle many complex leadership and management tasks. These complex management and leadership tasks include the following: developing innovative strategy, creating well-made products, effective product marketing, developing and managing

the processes and procedures for employees to follow, and creating and articulating a clear vision for the new division. Strong leadership will be the key to the all-naturally flavored energy bar's success. The Executive VP will be the face of Tasty Products’ new brand to existing and prospective clients (e.g., Whole Foods, Safeway, Costco, and the like). The key to success with existing clients and prospective clients will be the ability to communicate to them, "What makes Tasty Products naturally flavored protein bars special." The new Executive VP must be viewed as a person of integrity and an innovative problem solver. The Executive VP must be seen by current employees and newly hired employees and their managers, who will all work in the new division, as a leader who understands and supports the culture, values, and traditions of Tasty Products. In a short period of time, Tasty Products' leadership expects the new Executive VP to have met the leadership and management expectations discussed above and have the new division running efficiently and productively. In summary, Tasty Products desires that the new Executive VP for the Energy Bars Division have the array of excellent management and leadership skills necessary to lead the new division. Your specific role is to analyze the candidate profiles that follow and answer the specific questions (as identified below the last candidate profiles) the company's management has asked you. Candidate Profiles T.J. Max T.J. has spent the past 13 years working for Star Lite Foods, a mid-sized, $220 million in annual sales, vegetarian food

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distribution company, headquartered and operating its largest facility in Arizona. She started with the company working on the production line that selected the vegetables suitable for distribution throughout the western section of the United States. For the next 4 years, she worked in a variety of management jobs overseeing production. T.J. then worked for 7 years as a Regional Manager in Idaho, responsible for increasing the production of vegetables on farms that Star Lite used as sources for vegetables needed for their own vegetable production. During her run as a Regional Manager, she was responsible for making visits to farms to help each farm in the Safe Lite network develop a business plan. The focus of these business plans was to help each farm develop a vision, mission, and general operations plan to help ensure production was stable. T.J. credits her success in that role to her ability to get local farmers to work together instead of independently. She created a program, Community Communications, to keep farmers up to date on farm news affecting the region and encourage cooperative relationships. T.J.'s staff set up a blog and website and expanded social media channels to supplement her Community Communication initiative. These enhancements enabled the latest up-to-date sources of information for farming- related issues and encouraged the cooperative development of strategic goals and plans. T.J. was promoted and has served for the past 3 years as Star Lite Foods Vice President of the New Product Design and Marketing Department. She proposed focusing on making quality products that can be sourced from local vendors. She stated that once established the company could initiate a move to being more environmentally attentive to the well-being of consumers. T.J. has long advocated for natural products whenever possible and the

need for more nutritious and healthy food lines. Management sees T.J. as clever and creative. T.J. proudly stated that she likes to surround herself with good people. T.J. indicated she likes to delegate because she feels her team of workers needs the freedom to make decisions. She feels people produce more and like work better without strict guidance. She is hands-off. T.J. boasted that the team was instrumental in helping Star Lite obtain a double-digit increase in market share. T.J. is well-liked by her employees. She communicates what is important and has a good sense of timing. They, at times, describe her as distant, but when they seek her judgment or she offers an opinion, they respect it. T.J. is very open to conversations with others and is known to be truthful and subtle. She often indicates she’d like to think about the issue or question before she answers, but she always follow-ups, even if it is a day or so later. T.J. likes people. T.J. will not tolerate employees that don’t work well with others, and she is very comfortable working with everyone. T.J. is confident that her hard work to advance her career and track record in various complex jobs makes her capable of taking on the new role. T.J. earned her B.A. in Business in a part-time program at a local college in Idaho. L.L. Bean L.L. started Bean's Frozen Heath 15 years ago. L.L. started Bean’s Frozen Heath in his basement. The company distributes its products throughout the United States and Canada. Sales are currently $360 million annually. Tasty Products agreed to purchase Bean's Frozen Heath. L.L.’s innovation in moving his standard selling of freshly produced vegetarian products to local supermarkets and specialty food stores, to frozen and pre-

packaged goods where he could market and sell throughout the US and Canada led to rapid growth -- both in terms of sales and employees, which currently exceed 250. He was known for his charismatic leadership style and hands-on management. Although popular with employees and managers, he was known to be focused and driven. His primary areas of focus were strategic planning, marketing, and product development. Employees characterized L.L.’s company as a pleasant place to work and one where they were treated fairly. L.L. agreed to stay in a leadership capacity with Tasty Products for 3 years, but his exact role has yet to be determined. He thinks leading this new division would be a good fit. L.L.’s agreement makes accommodations for several key managers and key employees (sales, and marketing) to work for Tasty Products. Their roles have yet to be decided, but L.L. would have a say in that. The relationship among these key employees is informal; everyone calls each other by their first names, and they like to talk about business and work well together. L.L. indicated that he expects everyone to jump in when a task needs to be done. L.L. often says, “There are thinkers, and there are doers. Doers get the job done. If we make mistakes, we’ll fix them. Perfection is the enemy of the good. And, in business, to stay ahead of the competition, taking risks is necessary.” He sees himself as a doer and driver of others. L.L. frequently held town hall meetings to rally the troops and communicate a vision. He is forthright and blunt in his one on one. Often there seems to be little reflection before he speaks. L.L. admitted that while he depends on the people that comprise Bean’s Frozen Health, he likes to be immersed in the business

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and always wants to stay informed as to what is happening within every department. He likes to walk around and chat with people, although he does not like to waste his time or the time of others. He also shared that he has limited formal educational experience with marketing since as the company grew, he used in-house personnel and top-of-the-line marketing firms. Still, since he has been leading Beans’ Frozen Health through its growth stages, he could easily manage Tasty Products' new venture. He boasts that he is a proven innovator and entrepreneur. As a proven innovator and entrepreneur having started and built a large company, L.L. feels confident he is the best candidate. L.L. dropped out of college in his senior year to pursue his business. J.C. Penney J.C. started his role at Tasty Products 12 years ago. Based on his prior 18 months of experience overseeing production for a small ($1m) annual sales protein bar company, J.C. was hired as a production manager at Tasty Products San Diego facility. His detail-oriented efficiency became widely known throughout Tasty Products. For the past 4 years, he has been working for Tasty Products as the Deputy Director of quality control and all products throughout the U.S. and Canada. He focuses on helping ensure that all-natural and organic products are environmentally friendly and appeal to consumer price points. J.C. is highly regarded within the employee ranks as a fair manager. He applies policies and procedures in a very even- handed manner. J.C., at times, can be seen as distracted by the details of production and quality and tends to get deeply involved in other areas of line operations. He has led many committees to plan new product development and distribution but has not yet

been delegated those tasks as a recurring part of his current role. J.C. has hired a group of highly educated employees. J.C.’s employees comment that he seeks a lot of data before rendering an opinion or a direction to follow. J.C. is known to be ethical and trustworthy. He never reacts immediately to what is being said and likes to research most things before he replies. J.C. likes to say, “the devil is in the details.” He holds monthly staff meetings, but generally, these are with specific groups on specific topics that he asked certain employees with expertise in those areas to report on meetings. Management places a great deal of confidence in what J.C. suggests and recommends. J.C. sees himself as both a manager and a mentor who focuses on employee development. For example, J.C. provides very hands-on guidance in the technical areas of production and quality control and expresses exactly what he’d like to see the end product or report look like. J.C. is seen as a deep thinker who acts when he is certain of the next step. He is known to be someone management can rely on to solve complex technical issues. His opinions, however, in all aspects of the company are valued by management. J.C. admitted he does not have any marketing or sales experience. Still, he has had a role in overseeing committees that made recommendations in those areas, including developing the new naturally flavored protein bar line. He has a strong desire to see the company become a leader in the protein bar market. J.C. noted in his cover letter that although he has more hands-on experience in some areas of the new Executive VP role than others, he believes, nonetheless, he would be a good fit for the new position because he is committed to Tasty Products. He

understands the company’s vision, mission, and core values. J.C. stated he had demonstrated the managerial and leadership skills to guide the team to success. J.C. believes his proven record at Tasty Products, his engineering background, and advanced education, as well as the respect he is accorded by employees and management at Tasty Products, make him an ideal candidate for the new role. J.C. has a degree in electrical engineering from Penn State and an MBA from Wharton. Instructions: You have been asked to review the three candidate profiles and recommend the Executive Vice President position. The new Executive VP will have a lot of responsibility in managing and leading the new division. You will evaluate each of the three candidates considering each candidate’s experience and answer the questions Tasty Products' leadership has requested to select the best candidate to lead the new division. You must use the following BOLDED headings for writing the project: Introduction  Write an Introduction paragraph. The introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of the paper and will describe to the reader the intent of the paper, explaining the main points covered in the paper. This intent should be understood before reading the remainder of the paper so the reader knows why the paper is being written and what is being

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covered in the paper. (Use in-text citations, as appropriate, and include the references in the Reference section.)  Consider writing the introduction last to ensure that all of the main points are covered. Management Skills  Identify and discuss the management skills that each candidate possesses. (Use in-text citations, as appropriate, and include the references in the Reference section.) Leadership Skills  Identify and discuss the leadership skills that each candidate possesses. (Use in-text citations, as appropriate, and include the references in the Reference section.) Leadership Style  Identify and discuss the leadership style of each candidate. (Use in-text citations, as appropriate, and include the references in the Reference section.) Candidate Recommendation  List your candidates in priority order with # 1 as your first choice. Recommend and justify your first (1st) choice candidate. (Use in-text citations, as appropriate, and include the references in the Reference section.) Rejected Candidates Explanation Explain the reasons your second-choice and third-choice candidates were not selected. Be certain to use their names and

their rank order. (Use in-text citations, as appropriate, and include the references in the Reference section.) Conclusion  Create a concluding paragraph. The conclusion paragraph highlights the major findings covered in the paper. (Use in- text citations as appropriate, and include the references in the Reference section.) References Review the Paper Read the paper to ensure all required elements are present. The following are specific requirements that you will follow. Use the checklist to mark that you have followed each specific requirement.

Leadership In selecting the Executive Vice President for Tasty Products' new division launching all naturally flavored protein bars, it is imperative to analyze the qualifications, skills, and leadership styles of the three candidates: T.J. Max, L.L. Bean, and J.C. Penney. Leadership and management are the vital aspects of organizational success which are distinctive but mutually supportive. Leading involves setting a vision, inspiring and motivating others, and driving change, however managing is about planning, organizing, and controlling resources to reach the organization’s objectives (Spencer, n.d.). After thorough analysis, the candidate selected will be found to lead the development, production, marketing, and distribution of the new product line in accordance with Tasty Products' values and objectives. Management Skills T.J. Max has gained extensive managerial insight throughout her Star Lite Foods career. Her duties for overseeing production and serving as a Regional Manager show her aptitude in operational management, resource allocation, and strategic planning. Furthermore, her past job in product design and marketing as the Vice President of the New Product Design and Marketing Department would undoubtedly give her the foundation she needs to create and promote the new protein line of Tasty Products. TJ's demand for quality, local sourcing, and environmentally friendly products matches Tasty Products' values and company goals for the new division. TJ also demonstrated her excellent communication skills and ability to problem solve when she was able to increase their locally sourced vegetables through uniting the community of farmers by creating a business plan that helped each farm develop a vision, mission, and general operations plan to help ensure production was stable.

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L.L. Bean's entrepreneurial journey on Bean's Frozen Heath emphasizes his aptitude for strategic planning, marketing, and product development. LL has a hands-on business approach where he is immersed in the business and always wants to stay informed as to what is happening within every department which has contributed to his company's quick growth. LLs expertise in supply coordination and planning and successful business caught Tasty Products eye and granted him a purchase contract with Tasty Products, strategically placing him in an advantageous position to lead Tasty Products’ new division. However, his informal education in marketing may create a problem when he executes marketing strategies correctly. J.C. Penney's ten years of experience at Tasty Products, along with a B.E. and MBA, provides a combination of strong analytical and problem-solving skills. His concern and determination about excellence and conformity with the industry standards make him knowledgeable in maintaining product standards. Despite lacking direct marketing experience, J.C. comes with a commitment to the company’s vision and core values that are supported by his record of success, making him a potentially suitable candidate for the Executive VP position. With operational management, strategic planning, and marketing expertise perfectly blended, T.J. Max has what it needs to execute the job. Compared to this, L. L. Bean’s considerable leadership and entrepreneurial qualities make his candidacy still more attractive to voters. J.C. Penney can draw on its institutional solid memory in Tasty Products, but this, combined with a lack of direct marketing experience, can be a limitation (Lumen Learning, n.d.). Leadership Skills Throughout TJs career she has shown a powerful desire to lead with an even greater emphasis on empowerment through delegation. She believes people produce more and like work better without strict guidance. Her intellectual and innovative nature is admired as management

sees her as clever and creative. Her ability to establish and inspire a cooperative network among farmers and the creation of a program she called Community Communications exemplifies her motivational and open mindedness when faced with adversity. Her creative streak, coupled with efforts to favor natural products, reveals a dedication to embracing change by staying abreast with trending consumer demands. L.L. Bean's is shown to be a charismatic and decisive leader. His hands-on leadership and focus on boosting the employees' spirits towards a common cause are critical success factors at Bean's Frozen Heath. L.L. is known for breaking the norms and trying to stay ahead of the competition with its innovative products. However, his extrovertive nature can manifest itself through direct communication and talking without prior reflection which may hurt teamwork and employee morale. Although he is popular with employees and managers and is highly active communicative through town hall meetings aimed to rally the troops and communicate a vision. J.C. Penney enacts leadership in terms of his fair and honest managerial practices. His intelligence and attention to detail did not go unnoticed, ultimately leading to JC becoming the Deputy Director of quality control regulating all products in the US and Canada. His emphasis on training and counseling employees creates an atmosphere where people feel respected and encouraged. J.C.'s analytical nature and attention to detail can be attributed to his decision- making and problem-solving effectiveness. Moreover, his lack of impulsiveness and reliance on data in his decision-making will boost resilience in rapidly changing circumstances (Lumen Learning, n.d.). The leadership skills of T.J. Max and his dedication to innovation are remarkably similar to the requirements for the EVP position at Tasty Products. L.L. Bean's charming leadership and creative business brain are certainly an asset, but some doubts concerning the communication

style and decision-making must also be addressed. The ethical leadership and analytical skills that J.C. Penney presents make him a prospective candidate, but his weakness as a marketing professional might inhibit him from making the brand aware of the new lines of products and entering the market. Leadership Style T.J. Max's leadership style is transformational, and employee centered. An employee centered leader focuses on supporting and encouraging employees with the hope that it makes them more qualified, confident, and productive. Transformational leadership requires the leader to change the desires of the follower so that they match the desires of the leader (. We see this when she inspires cooperation among farmers and explores new product lines at Star Lite Foods. She prizes feedback from her team members and actively promotes open-minded communication and knowledge sharing contributing to a friendly work ambiance. T.J. incorporates into her management style the empowering of employees to make decisions and take ownership of their work, thus creating an environment characterized by autonomy and accountability. This method of leadership enhances both teamwork and innovation. L.L. Bean's leadership style can be described as transformational, and hands on. This hands-on approach demonstrates his commitment to understanding the operational intricacies of his company. With his charismatic approach, he establishes the atmosphere and, at the same time, inspires his colleagues with a high level of enthusiasm and passion for the company's mission. L. L. is creating a culture of doing and taking the initiative – people are influenced to task risks and grow with every opportunity. However, he can be intimidating to some people who prefer a more collaborative and egalitarian decision-making approach (Lumen Learning, n.d.).

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J.C. Penney leadership style can be described as a blend of democratic and employee- centered leadership with a strong emphasis on being an analytical and detailed oriented leader. Democratic leaders strongly involve the employee team in the decision-making process (Spencer, n.d.). Holding monthly meetings with experts suggests that J.C. values the input and expertise of his team, which is a hallmark of democratic leadership. He performs his leadership tasks emphasizing fairness, consistency, and accuracy. JC is interested in data-driven decision- making and employs careful assessment of the consequences of his actions. He also displays a coaching leadership approach, emphasizing employee development and mentorship and providing the team with clear direction and expectations. Although his reserved temperament and thorough approach can make the decision-making process a lengthy one, it ensures all elements are considered before going any further. The leadership mode of T.J. Max combines participation and creativity that would support her efforts to lead Tasty Products' new division. The charismatic leadership of L.L. Bean may help employees work effectively, but questions arise regarding inclusivity and decision- making style, which can influence team dynamics. J.C. Penney has an analytical approach and a focus on employee development, but the cautious nature of his personality might need balancing with agility and adaptability (Spencer, n.d.). Candidate Recommendation Given my assessment of each candidate’s abilities and leadership qualities, I am inclined to nominate T.J. Max for the position of Executive Vice President at Tasty Products. T.J. carries a broad background in operational management, strategic planning, and product development, along with a leadership style driven by teamwork and creativity. Star Lite Foods' record of success reveals the leader's dedication to natural products and community involvement which

aligns with Tasty Products' aim for the new division (Bush, 2020). T.J.'s inclusive team leadership and ability to create a positive work environment prepared her to lead the team and bring success to the all-naturally flavored protein bar line. Rejected Candidates Explanation While both candidates have unique attributes that would be an asset to any firm, L.L. Bean and J.C. Penney were not chosen for this role due to some specific drawbacks. While L. L. Bean's charisma and entrepreneurial spirit should be lauded, his hands-on management style and direct communication methods might not overlap neatly with Tasty Products' culture of collaboration and inclusiveness. Furthermore, given that he has no formal marketing education, it cannot be easy to effectively market the new line of products. J.C. Penney's analytical skills and willingness to train employees are noteworthy. Still, his conservative nature and lack of marketing experience may make it difficult for him to increase brand awareness and market share for the new division. Despite his style having excelled in some contexts, the volatility of the role requires an individual with an adaptable and innovative approach (Abbas & Ali, 2023). T.J. Max is the strongest contender for the supervisory position due to her outstanding management skills, effective leadership style, and congruity with Tasty Products' ideals. Conclusion What makes T.J. Max an outstanding candidate is that she has had extensive experience as a manager, shows that she is a team player, and relates well with the company. The assessment of the candidate's capabilities in leadership and management demonstrates the relevance of the link between individual strengths and organizational success. T.J. Max is the choice candidate because she has a strategic vision, a collaborative leadership style, and a

mastery of managing complex tasks. By applying rules of leading and managing effectively, the new division of Tasty Products can succeed by selecting a leader who better adapts and represents the traits and characteristics necessary for innovation, motivating teams, and managing dynamic business situations. References Abbas, M., & Ali, R. (2023). Transformational versus transactional leadership styles and project success: A meta-analytic review. European Management Journal, 41(1), 125-142. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263237321001 547 Bush, T. (2020). Theories of educational leadership and management. Theories of Educational Leadership and Management, 1-208. https://www.torrossa.com/en/resources/an/5018841 Spencer, (n.d). What Makes an Effective Leader. Principles of Management, Lumen Learning.com https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen- principlesofmanagement/chapter/what-makes-an-effective-leader/ Lumen Learning, (n.d). Leadership. Principles of Management. Lumen Learning.com https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wmopen-principlesofmanagement/ chapter/why-it- matters-leadership/

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BMGT 364 Project 3 (Week 6) - Leading

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