A Case Analysis for Multistream approach at AT&T

Information Technology major in Network Administration

College of Information and Communications Technology
Holy Angel University





Submitted by
Canlas, Femee B.
Dizon, Ariane
Garcia Joshua Jireh
Yco, Justin Jacob





June 18, 2013

I. Case Analysis
A. Viewpoint
According to Robert Greenleaf, using four-step disentangling process
could get more women hire at AT&T.

B. Significant Case Facts

Women were under represented in the AT&T workforce.
In the work, men and women both do the same work like lifting 50 pound roll of wire
which is too heavy for women.
The Multistream approach is exemplified by the management style of Robert Greenleaf,
who is credited with coining the term servant leadership. Greenleaf deliberately used
what he called a "four-step disentangling process, while working as a senior manager at
AT&T.

C. Problem
The problem lies on the culture and values at AT&T wherein: female
employees are experiencing injustices at work thus female workers tends to be
decreasing. If this continues even the side factors such as the values of the
company would be a great impact if not resolve.
D. Alternative Courses of Action
ACA1. AT&T must first consider trying and study new approach which is the
Multistream management that could help the company. Specifically
discussing about the four-step disentangling process.
ACA2. The management must take a secret investigation or monitoring of their
people to see how the employees are being affected by the business
process.
ACA3. The management must work together in solving the problem rather than
a one-man decision making.
ACA4. The management must take experimentation for probable solutions and
initiate changes with the system that could help and improve the
company.

E. Analysis

1. Alternative 1 (Multistream approach)

Advantages:

The Company will realize what approach is profitable for the totality of the company
including their stakeholders.
It will help the company to see the big picture in to which the problem or crisis lies and
help to create solutions.
It will facilitate the company to realize which their priorities are.
Top managers are given opportunities on how to demonstrate the depth of their
commitment to their employees and having them involved in planning and carrying out
of the efforts. Seriously involving the employees in the managements commitment helps
drive the formers energy and insights in helping the company to achieve its goals and
objectives.

Disadvantages:
The company could be in a dilemma between implementing or not since it could be the
same as: will this be a success or failures?
The management may resist to step into new approach since it is hard to change the
things that we are used to in the company.

2. Alternative 2 (monitoring)

Advantages:

Employees could realize that the company are taking actions to monitor not only their
performance but also their situations
Employees especially women would finally be given hope in lessening the load and help
them love their job than motivating them in something they do not like. In other words,
once an employee love their job they will do their job best without rewarding them or
something for motivation.
Company could create transparency with its employees rather than treating them as
something as work loader. Meaning the values of the company would result better if it
will not focus on productivity or profit but also give concern to its people.

Disadvantages:

Managers would think that investigating this would just be a hindrance for the time useful
for production.
Some employees may feel reluctant and cannot work well since some people do not act
what they usually are when they see people monitoring them.
Company image could be affected if an issue broke out and rumors could spread that
AT&T cannot control an issue by its management.

3. Alternative 3 (work together)

Advantages:

If the management works together, a certain issue or problem will be solve fast and easy.
It would be much better because different persons are working together therefore there
are a lot of opinions coming from.
Different ideas will be given by different people, and those ideas will be join together and
can help to solve the problem.
There are a number of people involved, so no one person has to shoulder the burden of work or of
single-handedly making a decision.

Disadvantages:
With too many people involved, more time is required to reach a decision which reduces
efficiency.
If individual performance is also rewarded in groups in a manner that is not motivational, group
decision making may inadvertently lead to competition among individual members.

4. Alternative 4 (Experimentations)

Advantages:

The managers could maintain consistency in the business performance and easily monitor
the issues that may occur.
The Company will become aware of their weaknesses, thus having the opportunity to
improve and convert them into strengths.
It will facilitate the company to set their priorities; in that case it will help them to limit
getting involved in insignificant things.

Disadvantages:

There could be a hard time in the decision making processes since it involves
experimentation wherein managers depends on facts or what they see or experience.
It is a big risk and time could be at stake once they decide to initiate changes with the
system. Scalability of the existing system may also be a big factor that could affect the
solutions.
Employees may feel confused especially if drastic changes would occur in the system.

F. Recommendation
With the given analysis, the researchers would highly recommended AT&T to first
consider trying and study new approach which is the Multistream management that could help
the company. Specifically discussing about the four-step disentangling process. The four step
are the process that will help show and guide the Multistream approach management in the
company.
First Step: instead of blaming the faults on the company, one must realize that its
mostly pack one pack all situation. Once people see the root of the issue, stating the problem
could initiate the problem solving process. (Control)
Second Step: an issue has broken out gathering information should be considered the
next process after stating the problem. Managers could give the information and probable
solutions for the issue and because of their experiences they could give much reliable answers
to the problem. (Leading)
Third Step: just like how Greenleaf did it, Greenleaf did not use his hierarchical authority
to generate or to impose solutions. Rather he invited the managers who reported to him to
discuss the traditions and structures that gave rise to the problem and, on this basis, to develop
new ways to address the problem. (Planning)
Fourth Step: Greenleaf exhibited and facilitated courage when he actively supported
any managers who were willing to experimentally implement changes to the structures and
systems at AT&T. (Organizing)
Using Multistream approach, company could increase a lot of factors not only the
productivity or profit but also benefit their employees. Effective management is all about
working with stakeholders toward creating a balance among multiple forms of well-being. This
approach does not ignore the importance of financial well-being of shareholders. However,
compared to Mainstream approach, the Multistream approach places greater emphasis on a
wide variety of forms of well-being. Multistream management may hinder maximizing
individual wealth and organizational growth, but it promotes concern for other stakeholders
which is inherently more meaningful to the community, ecologically sustainable, and so on.