You have got to be bloody joking, screamed Tony Elliott, Ocean International's finance director. You sit...

  

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You have got to be bloody joking, screamed Tony Elliott, Ocean International's finance director. "You sit there and tell me that a woman from Singapore is going to work for me and have a better remuneration package than me? 'Quieten down, Tony', soothed Jenny Bowtell, manager of human resources. 'Sandra Fungis simply receiving the same sort of package that you would be entitled to if you accepted an international assignment. She will be provided with housing, a car, assistance with her children's education and an allowance to compensate for working overseas. Her Australian salary is determined by what she is being paid in Singapore, It's all in line with company policy. "I don't care, this is Australia and a boss should be better remunerated than his subordinate. I tell you, Jenny, if you think this makes me mad, wait until the other senior managers find out what a sweet deal this woman is getting. You're going to have a riot on your hands. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Do you agree with Elliot's comments? Explain your answer. 2. Should everyone-local or expatriate - be given the same pay and benefits? Explain your answer. Patrick O'Donnell, chairman of Oz Hotels sat back in his hotel chair exhausted. He had flown in from Sydney via Tokyo. O'Donnell's stay in Japan had been frustrating and had tested his patience - everyone was very polite but not one Japanese manager seemed to want to talk business. O'Donnell wondered how the Japanese could be so successful when they had absolutely no appreciation that time is money. Bangkok would be different. Already he could feel the hustle and excitement-just like Sydney. O'Donnell, however, was soon surprised. Suthep Tanthamosarn, the managing director of Oz Hotels in Thailand had just told him that his meeting with Virasak Loothong, chairman of the Golden Elephant Group (one of the largest and most powerful business houses in Thailand) had been cancelled. O'Donnell was angry and disappointed. Loothong's approval was essential for a multi-million dollar hotel development planned between Oz Hotels and Glorious Construction Ltd (the property development and construction arm of Golden Elephant). What's the reason?" demanded O'Donnell. Suthep evaded the question, commenting that Loothong could meet O'Donnell in two days time. O'Donnell exploded. What?' he shouted red faced. I haven't come all the way from Sydney to be messed around like this doesn't he understand that my time is valuable? How can he agree to an appointment and then not keep it?' Suthep shifted nervously. Actually Mr Loothong is very keen to meet with you but tomorrow is not a good day. What do you mean not a good day?' snapped Patrick. To be frank', replied Suthep, 'Mr Loothong is a very superstitious man. His fortune teller has told him that tomorrow is an unlucky day for doing business with foreigners. The day after tomorrow, however, is a particularly good day so he would like to meet you then. "You mean', screamed O'Donnell, that you are asking me to do business with some superstitious fool? Suthep, what are you doing to me? How can I go back to Sydney and ask the board to put up $250 million to form a joint venture with some crazy guy who believes in fortune tellers?" DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Why does O'Donnell feel the way he does? 2. What cultural differences are highlighted? 3. If you were Suthep, what would you do now? 4. How could this situation have been avoided? You have got to be bloody joking, screamed Tony Elliott, Ocean International's finance director. "You sit there and tell me that a woman from Singapore is going to work for me and have a better remuneration package than me? 'Quieten down, Tony', soothed Jenny Bowtell, manager of human resources. 'Sandra Fungis simply receiving the same sort of package that you would be entitled to if you accepted an international assignment. She will be provided with housing, a car, assistance with her children's education and an allowance to compensate for working overseas. Her Australian salary is determined by what she is being paid in Singapore, It's all in line with company policy. "I don't care, this is Australia and a boss should be better remunerated than his subordinate. I tell you, Jenny, if you think this makes me mad, wait until the other senior managers find out what a sweet deal this woman is getting. You're going to have a riot on your hands. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Do you agree with Elliot's comments? Explain your answer. 2. Should everyone-local or expatriate - be given the same pay and benefits? Explain your answer. Patrick O'Donnell, chairman of Oz Hotels sat back in his hotel chair exhausted. He had flown in from Sydney via Tokyo. O'Donnell's stay in Japan had been frustrating and had tested his patience - everyone was very polite but not one Japanese manager seemed to want to talk business. O'Donnell wondered how the Japanese could be so successful when they had absolutely no appreciation that time is money. Bangkok would be different. Already he could feel the hustle and excitement-just like Sydney. O'Donnell, however, was soon surprised. Suthep Tanthamosarn, the managing director of Oz Hotels in Thailand had just told him that his meeting with Virasak Loothong, chairman of the Golden Elephant Group (one of the largest and most powerful business houses in Thailand) had been cancelled. O'Donnell was angry and disappointed. Loothong's approval was essential for a multi-million dollar hotel development planned between Oz Hotels and Glorious Construction Ltd (the property development and construction arm of Golden Elephant). What's the reason?" demanded O'Donnell. Suthep evaded the question, commenting that Loothong could meet O'Donnell in two days time. O'Donnell exploded. What?' he shouted red faced. I haven't come all the way from Sydney to be messed around like this doesn't he understand that my time is valuable? How can he agree to an appointment and then not keep it?' Suthep shifted nervously. Actually Mr Loothong is very keen to meet with you but tomorrow is not a good day. What do you mean not a good day?' snapped Patrick. To be frank', replied Suthep, 'Mr Loothong is a very superstitious man. His fortune teller has told him that tomorrow is an unlucky day for doing business with foreigners. The day after tomorrow, however, is a particularly good day so he would like to meet you then. "You mean', screamed O'Donnell, that you are asking me to do business with some superstitious fool? Suthep, what are you doing to me? How can I go back to Sydney and ask the board to put up $250 million to form a joint venture with some crazy guy who believes in fortune tellers?" DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Why does O'Donnell feel the way he does? 2. What cultural differences are highlighted? 3. If you were Suthep, what would you do now? 4. How could this situation have been avoided?

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Tony Elliotts Comments 1 Do you agree with Elliots comments Explain your answer As an AI language model I dont have personal opinions or beliefs However I can provide you with dif... View the full answer