Digital Chocolate Company Case

QUESTION 1

The best way to organize functions of the teams into social network is to quickly adapt to market changes. This means the firm needs to have a competent management in place to keep a t a par with the ever changing environment. The ideal way to do so is by having a strategic plan in place. Secondly the functions can be organized by having acquisitions of small firms in each country that the firm operates. This will provide an already developed infrastructure that will form the base for beginning operations. Acquisition is also the surest way to increase the market share and enable firms penetrate into new markets. Lastly the firm can purpose to have studios in each of the four countries where they are operational. This means they will cut on costs of having to outsource for other companies infrastructure which sometimes is exorbitantly expensive.

QUESTION 2

The rules to maximize creative output and coordinating efforts are basically four. They are acquisition of formal education, getting the relevant experience, having the required skills and being success oriented. For example Hawkins acquired formal education by attending various prestigious schools in the U.S He first attended Harvard before proceeding Stanford to further his education in business school. Later he had relevant experience by starting to work with apple before founding electronic arts where he doubled as the CEO. Digital chocolate sought for his services when he was rich with experience. The possession of required skills is also key to maximization of creative output. In this case Hawkins had love for computer games. This made him to develop interest starting from the most basic computer games to the most advanced and sophisticated mobile phone games. Lastly one has to be success oriented. This makes him to try doing something on several occasions until he finally realizes the intended outcome.

QUESTION 3

Hawkins’ leadership style is transformational. Wherever he has been entrusted with leadership roles he has always tried to transform the way things are done. This has made him to leave a legacy in all the firms he has worked for. When he founded electronic arts where he was also the CEO, he transformed the firm into a success story. Later digital chocolate courted him where he also transformed it bringing it into global limelight. The leadership theory that describes paananen’s leadership style is participative theory. In all the plans involving digital chocolate, he actively participated by either getting directly involved or by helping improve on the ideas that need further sharpening. Hawkins liked the company of Paananen because he often encouraged him to progress further on any brilliant idea. Paananen left digital chocolate due many reasons among them the failed digital chocolate game launch and the time difference that affected him as he had to periodically travel to California.