The document summarizes a MICA debate session held by AAA Construction Company. The lead team analyzed reports submitted by three participating teams - Yellow, Green, and Blue. They identified key issues and recommendations in each report. During the debate, the lead team moderated discussions on succession planning, credit lines, and family involvement in management. Feedback praised the icebreaker but noted issues could have been clearer. The Yellow Team was seen to best capture the case's essential ideas. Suggestions for future lead teams included ensuring structure, assigning clear roles, and concluding on the main debate points.
2. They stated that the major family issues in this case was the lack of succession planning, a reliance on Robbins and family members keeping a cluster within the company’s job positions.
3. They stated that the major business issues in this case were the lack of cash flow, office management and company entering a niche market.
4. Their recommendations for the family issues were Joyce should have spoke to Lewis before removing him since he had worked at the company for so many years. Family ties should try to be kept separately when judging a person’s ability to manage a business. They believe Lewis should be brought back to the company to secure the credit lines with the banks.
5. Their recommendations for the business issues were to bring Lewis back to increase the cash flow, hire a manager to take care of management and to regain their position in the previous market.
6. During the debate, the yellow team argued to bring Lewis back to the firm to secure credit lines since the banks know and trust him.
7. They argued that since Robbins wasn’t ready to be president, the family members at the top should be limited.
8. In terms of succession plan, there should have been a succession in place if not Joyce will not have had to make the decision she made, it would have been made before he died. So she gave into firing Harris.
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10. They stated that the major family issues were that Joyce sided with the decision of the family members, the presence of non-family members in the business created tension amongst family members, the reduction of credit of the company which was caused from the fact that Harris was not a part of the family.
11. They stated that the major business issues were from management, promotional efforts of employees and the lack of systematic planning.
12. Their recommendations for the family issues that Joyce could advice David and Dave because of her experience, boundaries to be set for non-family members and Lewis should have not been removed.
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15. The report included data from the case study to support their issues and recommendations.
16. They stated the firm’s business issues were cash flow problems (too dependent on Harris), no fixed strategy or firm culture, all three top positions filled with family.
17. They stated the firm’s family issues were that David got too much importance and would rely on Joyce after making wrong decisions, no succession plan and too many family members involved.
18. They recommended that for the business issues they should reduce insurance dependency, increase cash flow and establish a clear corporate profile.
19. They recommended for the family issues they should have meetings with executive board, Lewis should be brought back and family members can be shareholders and start from ordinary positions, making career growth.
20. During the debate, the blue team argued that the top three members should get rid of family members from top positions.
21. In terms of credit, they argued that they should use family to restore credit lines, could be family with another bank.
22. In terms of continuity of corporate practices, they argued that it is still relevant but their needs to be a balance.
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24. Lead team left some of the debate topics hanging and did not formally conclude on the better argument.
34. Some of the group got the chance to speak whether presenting or answering questions. Questions from the board were answered well. The group was also very active in debate and clearing up confusion in ideas.
35. The lead team decided that the yellow team captured the essential ideas of the case study in both in the report and debate.
40. Overall they handled questions well but in certain instances could have qualified responses better with data and justification as they did in the report.
41. In general, all groups’ members were involved in the debate to discuss ideas.