Sandwich Shop Case Study

Sandwich Shop Crisis

Business Leadership - J. Rubinoff  

January 18th 2018

Ryan Copp

Business Leadership Case Study - Sandwich Shop Crisis  

        Primary Problem - Tom’s work life balance

                For years, Tom has worked tirelessly, managing three successful sandwich                         restaurants. Tom has been personally and directly managing operations at all three                 establishments and this workload added up to 80 hours a week or more. Recently,                         after pressure from his wife he reconsidered this work life balance and decided to                         make a change.

        Secondary - Alyssa’s store - Sales and Management

                After hiring and training a new manager, Alyssa, Tom has assigned her the task of                 managing one of the three shops. However with her lack of formal training and                         recent decision making within the business, the restaurant has shown declining                         sales, as well as disgruntled staff.  

        Immediate Problem - Employee and HR issues

                After three months of Alyssa running the store, sales have dropped and two                         employees have quit. Other employees are complaining about the lack of hours                         and this may be due to actual or perceived biases to the two recent hires Alyssa                         made - her sisters. Alyssa has also made somewhat questionable decisions                                 involving the financial security of the store.

        Problem Alternatives

                Primary

1. Hire two managers to co-run two of the three stores, therefore Tom is responsible for only one store
2. Sell one or two stores so Tom has fewer responsibilities
3. Hire someone to manage the business, promote Tom

                Secondary

1. Train Alyssa and fire one or both of her sisters
2. Formalize the business operation - create a manual with day to day procedures  

                Immediate

1.  HR workshop to educate staff of guidelines and regulations, policies/procedures and develop a manual for company protocol and procedure

Alternative Evaluation

        Primary

                1. This alternative holds both positive and negative outcomes for Tom’s                                 business. Hiring a co-manager with formal training, or a degree, will not only take                 some of the weight off Alyssa’s shoulders, but also familiarize her with managing                         protocols. Introducing a trained and capable individual in a leadership position                         will influence not only his/her co-manager Alyssa, but the other staff members as                         well. Furthermore dividing the responsibility between two people will allow Tom                         more time to focus on the two stores that he oversees by himself. However,                         finding and training the right qualified person to help manage the store will take                         time away from Tom’s busy schedule of managing two shops. It could also have                         the undesired effect of causing Alyssa to feel threatened about her job security.

                2. Selling part of the business that he founded may be a difficult thing for Tom to                         do but, this may hold great potential for Tom’s future family. Although this entails                 firing some employees and possibly switching food/product suppliers, If tom were                 to sell one of this three stores, he could consolidate the existing employees within                         the two remaining stores. This could lead to increased efficiency and cohesion                         within his work force. Furthermore with only two stores, the resources needed to                         run the shops (raw food goods, electricity, heating, and utilities) will be                                 significantly reduced, saving Tom money. After selling one of his shops, Tom                         could use the money to update/upgrade the stores that remain. This being said, if                         the store he decides to sell is located in a busy or popular area, the business may                         loose popularity. Overall this alternative presents fewer negative outcomes then it                         does positive ones, but if Tom chooses to act on this plan, he will need to say                         goodbye to part of his business.  Selling his business may also take a long time                         and will not alleviate his problem in the immediate future, intact he may be more                         busy as he tries to sell the store.

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