TerraCog:

Justin Sabo
Andy Browne
Jeff Weaver
Jeffrey Schafers III

Case Highlights
Traditional leader of handheld GPS
market
Innovative competition
Executive team in turmoil

Problem Statement

TerraCog has an executive team in flux,

lacking true leadership, effective
communication, and cohesive vision.

Alternative I:

Creation of two cross-departmental teams to research and

recommend cost savings or value added options.

Advantages

Create framework for company wide

inter-disciplinary approach to
challenges / projects
Provide combinations of subject
matter experts in each department
optimize outcomes
Ensures each department has
ownership of recommendations
enhancing buy-in and acceptance of
ultimate implementation
Enhances Friendly competition
motivates teams to explore all
avenues

Disadvantages

Likely will delay launch of Aerial by

several weeks
Department Leaders, Executives
and Board may not embrace options
presented
Losing team could suffer morale
drop
Resource use could negatively affect
other projects

Alternative II:

Emma Richardson works one on one with

Team Leaders to address underlying agendas

Advantages

Coordination between teams can fix

problems betterTackling hurdles will
enhance collaboration
Understanding of Team Leaders
positions provides basis for
consensus
Alignment of purpose facilitates
decision making
Timeframe for meetings can be short
No additional drain on resources

Disadvantages

Emma may not have enough

management skills to effectively
conduct meetings
Issues raised could be intractable
Too late in the development process
for any changes to be made

Alternative III:

Enlist assistance of Harold Whistler to

moderate project

Advantages

Having Co-Founder involved can

provide weight to the decision
process
Leverages his experience from other
projects
Semi-retirement and position in firm
implies less political jockeying

Disadvantages

Leaders perception of Whistlers

semi-retirement might be he is put
out to pasture and therefore not
respectful
Requires Emma to admit her role as
project leader is not effective
Whistler may not wish to dedicate
significant time to address all of the
problems

Alternative IV:

Redesign product and work out unresolved

technical problems

Advantages

Fresh start allows for more planning

and better understanding of project
vision
Adverts possible retail and financial
embarrassment if Aerial launch is a
flop
Provides time to incorporate more
value added features and
functionality

Disadvantages

Delay in launch requires missing key

holiday sales season
Recommendation to Board for delay
is not career enhancing move
Other projects in pipeline would be
delayed
Significant amount of resources lost

Final Decision