CASE PROBLEM: Kyle Wants to Gain An Edge

1. Which political tactics does Kyle appear to be using to enhance his status at Mercury Printers? 2. What is your evaluation of the most likely effectiveness of Kyles political tactics? 3. Please advise Kyle about what else he might do to enhance his job security at Mercury.

additive manufat eps to certify as a CASE PROBLEM: Kyle Wants to Gain an Edge turing, including the hot new idea of additive Kyle is an operations manager at Mercury Printers, a turing. I have also taken preliminary steps to certi manufacturer of commercial printers for both traditional project manager professional (PMP)." and digital printing. Customers include direct-marketing On Friday, Kyle had lunch with Tyler, another companies, packaging companies, label manufacturers. tions manager at Mercury. He said to Tyler, "Please newspapers, and magazines. The company has remained profitable partly because so many manufacturers of this comment with good intent, Tyler, but you do printing equipment have gone out of business. As Kyle look well. I know that you have been struggling with confided to a racquet ball partner, "I often worry about high blood pressure, but I am wondering if the job pres being laid off due to declining demand for our products, sures we all face are getting to you. I mean, do you think so I do what I can to survive." After this brief comment you might take a short leave of absence from work) to his buddy, Kyle thought that maybe it was time to Of course, first talk it over with your wife and family begin a more proactive approach to enhance his chances doctor." of becoming more important to the company. The next step Kyle took was to make a Facebook The next Monday, Kyle had the chance to chat in per- post on his own page about Greg, the vice president of son with Aaron, the company CEO. Kyle said to Aaron, engineering. The post read, "Here at Mercury Printers, "Some of our equipment is almost obsolete, and would we are privileged to have one of the finest engineering be quite expensive to repair. But not to worry. I am go- minds in the business. We all love working with Greg. ing to work with Ginny, one of our sharpest mechanical engineers, to see what we can do to fix the problem. We Case Questions ise yu want to save the company a bundle of cash." Aaron re- 1. Which political tactics does Kyle appear to be using sponded, "Go ahead and do what needs to be done." to enhance his status at Mercury Printers? The following day Kyle sent an e-mail to Katherine, the head of human resources, that read in part, I wanted 2. What is your evaluation of the most likely effective to update you on the progress I am making in my career. ness of Kyle's political tactics? I have attended two trade shows recently. I picked up 3. Please advise Kyle about what else he might advanced knowledge about commercial print manufac- enhance his job security at Mercury