Erik Peterson Case Analysis

Erik Peterson Case Analysis                    

Student name: Li Liu    Student Number: 20472431

Executive Summary:

The report analyzes the two core problems faced by Erik Peterson at his work and proposes solutions:

1. Peterson perceived tension among his colleagues which has hampered the product launch progress in hand. The issue should be addressed through open communication with all parties involved.
2. Peterson found his supervisor Hardy not supportive of his product launch effort in hand. The solution is to escalate the issue to upper level manager Jenkins.

Problem Statement:

Erik Peterson faces the following key issues:

1. Erik felt there exists tensions among members of the management team that he managed at Biometra. Jim Wescott clashed with Trevor Burns due to jealousy over Burn’s wealthy family and annoyance at Burn’s criticism. Tension arose between Curt Andrew and Melissa Miczek due to equipment selection. Todd Jones regarded himself as being smarter than his direct report Andrew and wanted to take Andrew’s job. Both Andrew and Miczek resented Erik’s fast promotion. Those tensions had resulted in disobedience in Erik’s order from some staff of Biometra’s management team. Peterson also felt tension with the two experts, Scott Greens and Karen Cantor, sent by SciMat to help with KLO negotiation. Erik hoped that the two experts can report to him. Yet due to perceived conflict with them during internship at SciMat, Erik deliberately avoided them.
2. Erik’s direct report, Jeff Hard, was not very supportive of Erik’s job. When Erik tried to secure the support of 5 prominent KLOs for Biometra’s catheter through allocation of dedicated technician and trainer, Hardy was unwilling to sign off the approval. When the Costa Rica manufacturing facility went into trouble, Erik attempted to replace or supplement Curt Andrew, again, Hardy refuted his proposal. In general, Erik felt he was not getting support or clear direction from Hardy during Hardy’s visit to Biometra.

Identified Causes:

The followings are the underline causes that resulted in the issues Erik Peterson was facing:

1. Lack of communication

In this case, Erik Peterson repeatedly talked about tensions between various staff and himself within SciMat. But if one looked at those descriptions more closely, he or she will soon realize that Peterson started the description with words such as felt, suspect and believe. In other words, many of these conflicts only existed in his own imagination. He simply observed colleagues’ behavior, drew conclusion based on the behavior pattern, and stopped there. Had he stepped ahead and asked what really was going on in people’s mind, he may be given answer vastly different from his imagination. He can then address issues accordingly with confidence.