CASE STUDY 2

As Sales Manager you have been tasked with developing a marketing campaign for a new product launch. You have built a cross-functional team which includes representatives from the Public Relations, Product Development, Finance and Logistics departments of your company.

All team members bring specific expertise to the project, and many of them know each other through their own internal company networks. Members are clear on their brief and easily settled into their allocated tasks. The team has a strong level of autonomy, being largely self-managed.

As the weeks pass, everyone seems to be confident in their roles and in working together. Productivity has accelerated and decisions are reached increasingly quickly, which leaves time to socialise afterwards.

You have noticed that there seems to be very little discussion during meetings; when new ideas are proposed, or problems are raised, the team seems to be of a similar mindset and there are few, if any, opposing views expressed. Sometimes previous solutions are used for current problems.

As a recent graduate of uni, who has successfully completed Management class, you need to analyse the situation. You know that if this trend continues it could cause problems for the team and ultimately the product launch.

INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT QUESTIONS SOURCES:

As sources, use the textbook AND one more academic source (book or academic journal article) to justify your arguments.

1. In the case, identify TWO concepts related to team communication based on Week 5 material (Team Communication): one related to effective communication, and one related to ineffective team communication. Describe and define both of them. (100 words each max)

2. Identify case evidence for each of the two concepts identified in Q1. Explain how the evidence illustrates each concept. (100 words each max)

Hints: What is the area of discussion? What are the main topics? Provide evidence from the case to justify your discussion.