Green Books Case Study

CASE #1

a) Why did Global Green Books Publishing struggle?

In the third year the business went through different issues that made them started experiencing critical problems. They were unable to leverage all the new employees effectively. They also were unable to provide quality texts. Global Green Books Publishing did not control their cost. They cannot deliver eBooks to their customers on the right time.  They used to spend their time in fixing defects found in their products instead of trying to do make a profitable business.

b) What were the specific PM solutions that were introduced by Samantha that worked?

Samantha introduced formal project management processes, created a Project Management manual and trained the employees to get the work done well.

c) What kind of suggestions would you give to Brad and Jim if you were the PM?

If I were the PM I would suggest the same as Samantha did. At first they needed a program that will schedule the time of delivery. A planning process with the time of each stage will take to perform each part of creating an EBook. The discipline and communication between the managers and the employees is necessary because with this they will know the expected goals. Looking for some advises from outsiders was a good idea from Brad and Jim.

d) Are you aware of other similar start-up businesses that struggle in a similar manner? How did they overcome the challenges?

Start-up businesses usually face this type of struggle because entrepreneurs are not always good managers. Entrepreneurs mostly face the risk and the necessary ideas required for the development of a project but they may not always be prepared to administer its resources and activities appropriately. An example of this is how entrepreneur Kathryn Minshew started a women’s networking site (Pretty Young Professionals) with three co-workers. The group couldn’t decide on how to best run the company and went into intense arguments and threat of lawsuit. Minshew decided on a do-over, and launched The Daily Muse with all her staff from PYP. With more experience and better designs, this site was more successful than the previous.

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