The case analyzes problems with a project team at XRS Laser Group led by John Everett, who was a social butterfly who did not take his job seriously. This caused a lack of communication, friction among team members, and low productivity. A SWOT analysis found strengths in experience but weaknesses in leadership and morale. Recommendations included improving leadership, communication, and holding team buildings. Lessons included the importance of understanding people, shared goals, empowerment, communication, and measuring teamwork.

1. CASE ANALYSIS: THE LETTERS
Kathleen C. Abaja
DEM Student
DEM 738 EXECUTIVE TRAINING AND
DEVELOPMENT FOR EDUCATIONAL MANAGERS
DR. THERESITA V. ATIENZA

2. COMPONENTS OF A CASE ANALYSIS
CASE BACKGROUND
PROBLEM STATEMENT
PROBLEM ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTIONS
SWOT ANALYSIS
RECOMMENDATIONS
LESSONS LEARNED

3. CASE BACKGROUND
 Ryan – New project team manager for XRS Laser
Group
 Larry – Asked to attend XRS Group’s annual retreat
3 years prior
 John Everett – previous, irresponsible, bad project
manager
 Team was not turning out results
 Friction among members
 Not participative
 Social butterfly
 Does not take job seriously
 Kate Pringle – department head, old contact of
Larry

4. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Macro (Long-Term)
The project team was not functioning
fast enough and not turning out
results.
John displayed little or no quality
leadership skills.
There was lack of communication
resulting to friction among members of
the team.

5. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Micro (Short-term)
John thought of himself as the “big
cheese”, the old-fashioned macho
manager.
John disregarded team building
exercises. John’s team took the
retreat as a joke.

6. Friction Among
Team Members
Inappropriate
Behavior
Lack of
Communication
Inadequate
Leadership skill
PROBLEM ANALYSIS
Loss of
Productivity and
Delay of Growth
CAUSE EFFECT

7. ASSUMPTIONS
In effect of John’s dysfunctional
leadership and inappropriate
behaviour, the XRS Laser Group
became less productive which
yield to the delay of growth. The
goals were not met at the desired
time frame and there was some
friction among team members.

8. SWOT ANALYSIS
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
EXTERNALINTERNAL
STRENGTHS
THREATS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
 Experience and
knowledge
 Competence and
capabilities
 Quality and reputation
 Leadership
inadequacy
 Gap in skills and
knowledge
 Low morale among
team members
 Innovation and
technology development
 Diversify the business
 Market demand
 Loss of major customers
 Strong competition,
competitive pricing
 Loss of alliance and
partners
 Economic condition
 Loss of key staff

9. RECOMMENDATIONS
 Have a clear vision. As a leader, it is your
job to provide a clear path that your team
can follow.
 Strive to enhance your leadership skills.
Think of ways that you can implement
leadership strategies in your daily life at
work.
 Improve communication skills.
Understanding the communication process
will open many doors to improve
productivity.

10. RECOMMENDATIONS
Be willing to admit and learn from
failures and weaknesses. The most
successful leaders know that the key
to success is not in avoiding falling or
failing, but to learn from their mistakes.
Hold team buildings. These would
encourage team work to bring out the
best of the employees.

11. LESSONS LEARNED
Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a
common vision. The ability to direct individual
accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the
fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon
results. It is also very important that everyone else on the
team understands the meaning of teamwork. --Andrew
Carnegie
 Lesson # 1: Knowing Your People
You need to have a good understanding of your
people.
 Lesson # 2: Having One Common Goal
Hence, there must be one common goal for the
group and each individual act should complement the
actions of the other members of the team and vice versa.

12. LESSONS LEARNED
 Lesson # 3: Empowering the Team
Making your employees feel like they are a
valuable part of the team.
 Lesson # 4: Facilitating Open Communication
When there is openness and free communication
in the team, it is easier to get things done. It is therefore
the job of the leaders to facilitate open communication.
 Lesson # 5: Measuring Teamwork Performance
Continually
Teamwork performance has to be measured
regularly so as to ensure that these teams are truly
working for the benefit of the organization.

13. “…abusive and incompetent
management creates billions of dollars of
lost productivity each year”
- Donald R.Brown

14. Thank you!!!