Read the following case study then answer questions given at the end.

Richard the Information Systems Executive

Why was Richard's decision to leave his employer of 14 years such a shock? Maybeit was the outstanding reputation of the company he had decided to leavea companyknown for innovative computer technology and progressive human resourcepractices. Perhaps it was his steady advancement in title, responsibilities, and salary,or his obvious enthusiasm for his work and for the company that had treated him sowell. Or possibly it was the fact that Richard had started with this paternalistic companyright out of college and it was rare for any employee to leave with such a highlevel of job security.

Richard had made a significant career decision that, in retrospect, should nothave been so surprising. At 38 years of age he yearned for moremore money anda more prestigious titlebut, most significantly, he wanted more responsibility andan opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the destiny of his employer. Thisopportunity may have come eventually with his current company, but it would havetaken a while, and Richard was growing impatient. Richard was in the phase of hiscareer where he needed to have a greater degree of authority and independence,to be listened to seriously, and to make a name forhimself. With a stay-at-homespouse and a young daughter, Richard was also concerned about increasing hiscompensation to provide a more comfortable lifestyle for himself and his family, nowand in the future. Aware of his needs and the opportunities at his current company,Richard, with the support of his spouse, decided to risk security in a safe, knownenvironment and pursue his goals. This decision shaped the course of his careerand life in profound ways.

Richard left his former employer with goodwill and enormous optimism. Heaccepted a position as director of customer support with a rapidly growing technologyfirm. In this new position, he and his staff were in charge of providing technicalsupport for all of the company's clients. Richard approached his new job with theenthusiasm and energy that had produced success in earlier years. He upgradedhis employer's back office information system, and built a management structurewithin his division that was sorely needed. His accomplishments were substantialand were recognized by his superiors, peers, and subordinates alike. It looked likehis decision had paid off!

Unfortunately, Richard did not count on, nor did he anticipate, the corporatechanges in strategy that were about to take place. Not that he was particularlynave, but how could he have known that the senior management of the companywas planning on "offshoring" all of its customer support to Asia? Facing intense

competitionand resultant pressures to cut costs, the company's senior managementteam, with the blessing of the board of directors, decided to reduce laborcosts by 40 percent by outsourcing Richard's entire department. After just a fewmonths on what he thoughtwasgoing to be his dream job, Richard was facing agreat deal of uncertainty about his future. It is one thing to know intellectually thata change in corporate strategy can outweigh job performance in the real world; it's quite another to be the victim of a major corporate cost-cutting move. Richard wasworried. He had a family to support, a child to eventually put through college, and a

heavymortgage to pay each month.

At the age of 40, Richard found himself unemployed for the first time since highschool. Finding a new position became a full-time job, and he approached this task withalacrity and extensive planning. After what seemed like an eternity, he found a positionwith a brokerage firm, heading up its information systems group. Burned once, hecomforted himself that this new company was less likely than his previous employer tomake a major change in strategy. But after two years of outstanding contributions, thisfirm is now undergoing a major reorganization and a reshuffling of personnel.Richard'future?Although he was recently promoted to vice-president, he's not so sure of himselfany more. When a friend asked whether he had any regrets about his decision to leavehis initial employer, Richard gave an emphatic "maybe."

Case Questions

1. What do Richard's experiences indicate about the process of career management?

2. What environmental factors have affected Richard's career?

3. When Richard decided to leave his initial employer, what career "trade-offs," either

consciouslyor subconsciously, did he make? Do you believe that Richard hasdone

agood job of managing his career? Why or why not?

4. If Richard sought your help, what advice would give him in terms of the futuremanagement

ofhis career?