Submit BOTH a written assignment explaining your analyses and a PowerPoint for this assignment.
After reading the Case Study below, create a power point presentation
answering the following questions:
1. Discuss how Melissa’s communication style impacted the performance of
the Italian partners.
2. What do you think were the primary sources of information prior to
Melissa’s visit?
3. What do you think the primary sources of information will be after
Melissa’s visit?
4. What might account for Melissa’s change in attitude about dealing with
the Italian partners after her visit?
Use the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) format to
organize your power point presentation. Refer to the following website to learn
more about a SWOT analysis for a case study:
http://testfunda.com/examprep/mba-resource/current-affairs/article/swot-
analysis-for-case-studies.htm?assetid=e3913b4b-1984-4672-b574-
169aebf9965b
Case Study
Melissa Chang was asked to travel to Venice, Italy and meet with her company’s
partnering company. Preparation for the trip was stressful. Not only had her
colleague cancelled their recent trip to Moscow at the last minute, making the
US partner look bad, but the Italian partner had made several requests for
information which none of Melissa’s colleagues had fulfilled. She learned all of
this information upon making phone contact with their office to confirm her
travel plans.
After that initial phone call, Melissa was not looking forward to the trip. She felt
that her company had not upheld basic business standards, and adding a
language barrier to the equation did not make things any smoother. She was
very hesitant to make the trip and felt very guarded. She knew her Italian
counterparts were frustrated and she could relate to their feelings. However, she
also had a job to do – get more work out of them. If things did not get cleared
up quickly, they could potentially lose the partnership. Melissa dreaded having
to be the one to deliver that piece of news.
Once in Venice and face-to-face with the partners, Melissa quickly realized their
source of frustration. From their perspective, the US partner had not upheld
their end of the business deal by providing some basic product information.
Melissa had that information with her and easily provided the files. She was
able to answer all their questions and explain the business process in the US
during the first meeting.
The second day of business meetings was even more productive. Melissa noted
a change in her Italian counterparts’ disposition when she entered the office that
second morning. They were much warmer and willing to sit down and discuss
details. By lunchtime, Melissa had information showing how much the Italian
office had produced and where they were actually outperforming the US parent
office. It was clear that their partnership was nowhere near being in jeopardy.
As the week drew to a close, both Melissa and the Italian partners drew up a
projected plan for the next fiscal year. Italy was on track to set new sales records.
Their requests for information were basic in her opinion, and Melissa was able
to provide them accurate details before her departure. While a few of the finer
points she did not understand fully due to the language barrier, Melissa felt
reassured seeing firsthand how committed they were to the product. She could
not find anything that would cause concern for their business transactions going
forward. She chuckled to herself thinking how much she had dreaded this trip
initially.
The Italians thought Melissa was a top businesswoman. Their appreciation was
immeasurable. The president of the Italian office arranged a formal dinner in
her honor. All employees attended with their families. Before dessert was
served, he toasted Melissa’s professionalism during the entire week. The
president noted her empathetic listening skills and ability to relate to their
business needs as being critical to their future success. He also praised her for
the quick actions and decisiveness she demonstrated during their meetings.
