Company XYZ faces severe economic challenges Description of Company:

• Located in Wausau, WI

• Has employed 300 people for nearly 75 years

• Manufactures glass and plastic milk containers

• Impacted since 2008 by economic downturn

• Manufacturing costs spiraling up

• Owners must decide between the following options:

1. Take huge bank loan to retool company into a robotics operation resulting in 225 permanent layoffs

2. Relocate to Argentina resulting in closing down Wausau plant

3. Declare bankruptcy/close Company.

In what sense is this a business problem? A community problem? An individual problem?

You are responsible for developing a plan of action for the Board of Directors.

Develop and use the following strategies as part of your research and decision-making plan:

1. Identify issues

2. Rank affinities

3. Pre-test affinities using a focus group

4. Analyze data

5. Create a synopsis of a presentation for the Board of Directors