A Written Analysis and Communication report on the HBR case study FACEBOOK using the six-step problem-solving approach. Identified the key problem, suggested alternative solutions, Evaluation Criteria, Evaluation of options, Recommendation, Implementation plan and Contigency plan.

1. JINDAL GLOBAL BUSINESS SCHOOL
WRITTEN ANALYSIS AND COMMUNICATION
Facebook

2. A REPORT ON:
FACEBOOK
Submitted to: Ms. Rihana Shaik
In partial fulfilment of the requirement of the WAC Course
By:
Mayank Agrawal (18020234)
On:
October 06, 2018

3. Letter of Transmittal
October 06, 2018
Ms Rihana Shaik
Assistant Professor
Written Analysis and Communication
Department of Business Administration
Jindal Global Business School
Subject: Case Analysis Report
Dear Ma’am
As per the guidelines provided by you during the classroom discussion, I hereby submit a
report on the case titled ‘Facebook’. This report has been prepared after going through the
entire case and carefully scrutinizing the facts and assumptions and using the six-step
problem solving model of Penrose, Rasberry and Myres. The report contains the relevant
facts in the introduction, problem statement and list of possible alternatives and best action
plan to be implemented.
Kindly evaluate the same and provide your valuable inputs.
Best Regards,
Mayank Agrawal (18020234)
Jindal Global Business School

4. Page | 3
Executive Summary
Miranda Shaw, a senior analyst, is on the verge of hiring an individual, weighing between
two graduates, namely, Rick Parsons and Deborah Jones. She had almost made up her
mind to recommend Parsons to the HR for hiring, but when she dug deep into the internet
she found some troubling things about him on Facebook, which have led her to re-think
her decisions. Since the organization already has a high turnover rate, she is in a dilemma
that whether Parsons would be the perfect match for the job position in question, or not.
Parsons is involved in a number of non-profit social activities also. On the other hand, she
could not find any personal information about Deborah over the internet, and thus she has
to make a decision between the two, weighing all the inputs gathered.

5. Page | 4
Table of Contents
S. No. Content Page No.
1 List of Illustrations 4
2 Situational Analysis 5
3 Problem Statement 5
4 Alternate Solutions 6
5 Evaluation Criteria 6
6 Evaluation of Options 6
7 Recommendation 7
8 Implementation Plan 7
9 Contingency Plan 7
List of Illustrations
S. No. Content Page No.
1 Table 1 - Evaluation of Options 7

6. Page | 5
Situational Analysis
Miranda Shaw, a senior analyst, was on the verge of hiring an associate. She believed that
both of the choices, Rick Parsons and Deborah Jones, were good for the company, as both of
them had performed equally well in the hiring process interviews. Moreover, they were from
the same business school that Shaw was an alumnus of. Parson's leadership skills and
reputation for tireless energy and communication had given him an edge over Deborah, and
he was almost recommended and hired until Shaw decided to dig deep on the internet, out of
her curiosity. She could not find any personal information related to Deborah, other than sites
listing him as an effective project member.
Rick Parsons was a different case altogether. He was involved in non-profit works and had a
number of community service awards, and thus he was a social worker. However, when
Shaw tried to analyze his Facebook account, she found various posts with his Fraternity
brother where they were partying - drinking, smoking cigarettes and blunts. Shaw was
disturbed and troubled when she found out that Rick used to smoke marijuana regularly. Her
initial decision to hire him went for a toss and she is in a dilemma to make the right decision
so that the hired employee stays in the organization for long, and the turnover rate of the
organization also gradually decreases over time.
Problem Statement
Based on the situational analysis and the relevant information, we can say that the problem
statement is of ‘TRUST’.
Miranda is unable to fully trust Rick Parsons because of his partying and marijuana posts on
Facebook, and thus she is judging Rick based on this trait. She is trying to see Rick as a
whole person but is unable to implement it fully and her decision is being clouded by this
finding.

7. Page | 6
Alternative Solutions
3.1 Talk to Rick Parsons over his smoking habit of marijuana and try to gather insight about
his behaviour. Educate him on the long term effects of Marijuana on the brain and family.
3.2 Meet with both of them once unofficially and socialise to know them personally.
3.3 Make Rick sign an agreement of ‘No Consumption of Alcohol, Drugs and Weed’ in the
office after joining the organization. Thus, making sure he is not intoxicated during office
hours.
3.4 Set up rules and iterate to the employees on Cannabis impairment.
3.5 Perform a Lie detector test on both Rick and Deborah, enquiring about their habits that
may affect their job performance.
3.6 Hire both Deborah and Rick on a short term basis, conveying that the spot is open for
only one and they will be accessed on their behaviour and performance for the next
month.
Evaluation Criteria
To select the best possible solution for the case, the proper evaluation criteria is to be
chosen. They are as following:
4.1 Job Performance
A measure of continuous work related performance of an individual.
4.2 Satisfaction
A measure of fulfilment of one’s expectation.
Evaluation of Options
Based on the evaluation criteria, we can say that the solutions presented above have the
following analysis:

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Table 1
Evaluation of Options with respect to evaluation criteria
S.
No.
Solutions Job Performance Satisfaction
1 Talk to Rick Low Low
2 Meet both unofficially Low Moderate
3 Make Rick sign the agreement High High
4 Set up Rules Moderate Moderate
5 Lie Detector test Moderate High
6 Hire both on short term Moderate Moderate
Recommendation
Make Rick Parsons sign the agreement on ‘No Alcohol and Drugs’ during the office hours,
and hire him.
Implementation Plan
7.1 Talk to Rick about his smoking habits – marijuana in particular.
7.2 Analyze his view points and educate him on its long term effects and ripple on the future.
7.3 Ask him to sign a non-breakable contract on ‘No Alcohol, Drugs and Weed’ during the
office hours.
7.4 Set up THC(marijuana) tests on a monthly basis for all the employees.
7.5 Hire Rick, as originally planned.
7.6 Involve Rick in number of company led social activities during weekends.
Contingency Plan
8.1 Perform a lie detector test on both Rick and Deborah, before hiring.
8.2 Ask them questions related to their habits in leisure time and any activity that may hinder
their job performance.
8.3 Gather all the relevant inputs from both of them.
8.4 Re-analyze and make an informed decision to hire any one of them.