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An analysis of the case

We Googled You

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A report submitted to
Prof. Madhusri Shrivastava

In partial fulfilment of the requirements of the

Written Analysis and Communication course

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By
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D Srirama Samdhathri - 2013PGPUAE012
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On the 1st of April, 2014.

Memo of Transmittal!
To: Prof. Madhusri Shrivastava!
From: D. Srirama Samdhathri, 2013PGPUAE012!
Date: 1

st

April 2014!

Subject: Submission of the Written Analysis and Communication report on the

case We Googled You

Dear Madam,!
As per your instructions, I have prepared a report analysing the dilemma
faced by Fred Wensten, the CEO of Hathaway Jones on hiring Mimi
Brewster, and the course of action that can be taken.!
It is recommended that Fred hire Mimi for Hathaway Jones China operation,
given the strong credentials and skills of Mimi.!
The following pages present a detailed analysis of the situation, an evaluation
of the different alternatives available, recommendation, the plan of action and
a contingency plan.!

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Executive Summary:!

This case talks about the dilemma of Fred Westen, CEO of Hathaway Jones,
who is planning to expand the company in China, whether or not to hire Mimi
Brewster. Mimi, according to Fred is the most suitable candidate for the
business expansion. But, her strong credentials become questionable after
Fred learns from Virginia Flenders, the vice president of human resources,
who finds out through Google search that Mimi had been actively involved in a
non-violent protest against China in the past.!
It is now for Fred to decide what should be done about hiring Mimi, keeping
the benefits and losses of hiring/not hiring a potential candidate.!
It is recommended that Fred should hire Mimi for China operations ignoring
her online history, as Mimi, according to Fred is the most suitable candidate
for the job.!

Table of Contents:!

!
Executive Summary:!

3!

Situation Analysis!

5!

Problem statement!

5!

Options!

5!

Criteria for evaluation!

6!

Evaluation of Options!

6!

Recommendation!

7!

Action Plan!

7!

Contingency plan!

7!

Situation Analysis!

Fred Wensten, CEO of luxury apparel retailer Hathaway Jones has planned
to expand the firm into China, knowing that the luxury goods market in China
was growing by 70% annually. Mimi Brewster, the daughter of Fred`s old
roommate, John Brewster, wanted to be part of the plan.!
!
Mimi has majored in modern Chinese history and graduated cum laude from
Berkeley. Adding to this, Mimi had grown up in China and spoke Mandarin
and a local dialect. This impressed Fred and he told Mimi that he would
arrange some interviews.!

Virginia Flanders who was the vice president of human resources at

Hathaway Jones, on searching in google, found out that Mimi had been a
leader of a non- violent but vocal protest group against the World Trade
Organization. On searching further, Virginia found a story featuring a photo of
Mimi sitting outside China`s San Francisco consulate protesting China`s
treatment of a dissident journalist. Virginia showed these articles to Fred,
implying that Mimi could be a trouble for the company in its Chinese
operations.!
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Now, Fred is in dilemma whether to hire Mimi or not.!

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Problem statement!
What should be done by Fred about hiring Mimi, a potential candidate whose
history when checked on google did not turn up very impressive?!

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Options!
1. Hire Mimi ignoring her online history!
2. Do not hire Mimi.!
3. Hire Mimi, and give her another position in the organisation, but not in
China!

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Criteria for evaluation!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Hiring a potential candidate !

Political/Legal issues arising from hiring Mimi.!
Reputation of the company in China.!
Impact on Hathaway Jones growth in China.!
Support of Chinese government for Hathaway Jones.!

Evaluation of Options!
1. Hire Mimi while ignoring her online history: A candidate like Mimi, with
good credentials can deliver a very good result, and hiring her as a project
lead, will leave her with more responsibility and perform better. History of
the candidate would not have an impact on the kind of work she would be
doing in China. Hiring a potential candidate would increase the growth
potential in China. But, due to access of the information across the globe,
support from the Govt. of China is a question; also there is a possibility of
having an impact on the companys reputation.!
2. Do not hire Mimi: If Mimi is not hired, there could be an opportunity loss for
the company as a substitute with similar skills is difficult to find, and hence
a not so positive impact on the growth of the company in China. On the
other hand, with this step taken, there wouldnt be any impact on the
reputation of the company, and also a support from the government can be
expected.!
3. Hire Mimi, and give her another position in the organization: Exercising this
option will benefit the company with her creativity and skills required in the
apparel business and will also make sure that a good candidate is hired.
Since she is not given the responsibility of Chinese actions there will be no
harm caused to reputation of the company in China. However, a potential
candidate for China operations will not be working for the expansion plan.

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Options

Hiring
Potential
Candidate

Legal issues
arising from
Mimi

Reputation of
the Company
in China

Impact on
Hathaway
Jones Growth
in China

Support of
Chinese govt.
for Hathaway
Jones

Hire Mimi for

the project,
ignoring her
online history

Huge Positive
impact

Possibly
negative

Neutral

Huge Positive
impact

Possible
negative impact

Do not hire
Mimi.

Negative impact Neutral

Neutral

Possible
Possible
negative impact positive

Hire Mimi, and

give her
another
position in the
organisation,
but not in
China!

Positive impact

Neutral

Possible
Possible
negative impact positive impact

Neutral

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Recommendation!
Fred should hire MIMI for the project, while ignoring her online history. This
help the company leverage on bring Mimis skills and expertise in the
companys expansion plan in China.!

Action Plan!
1. Fred should set up a meeting with Mimi along with Virginia and know what
Mimi has to say about it and accordingly design her job responsibilities.!
2. To minimize the political and legal reaction in China, Mimis history should
not be disclosed.!

Contingency plan!
In case of any political and legal reaction, it should be discussed with Mimi,
and she should be relocated to another country. This way a potential
candidate is not lost, and at the same time, a platform would be laid for
Hathaway Jones in China.