Consider the vision for a successful Company name Southwest Transit marketing team composed. Narrow down the team selection to four individuals for presentation to the director. Decide which strategies will be most effective for leading the agreed-upon team. Compose a PowerPoint presentation (10-12 slides), Who are the four team members, and what was the primary reason each person was selected? How difficult was it to come to a decision regarding team selection? Which potential team member was most difficult to come to a consensus about? Why?
What are the primary strengths of the team? What are its potential weaknesses? How positive is the management team about the team's potential? Justify your answers with evidence from " Southwest Transit Team Member Profiles."
What strategies will be most effective for motivating the team, managing conflict, ensuring success, and fostering collaboration? Cite specific motivational theories, conflict-resolution strategies, and leadership strategies in your answer.
Justify how the selected team embodies the values of conscious capitalism and how the tenet of stakeholder orientation played a role in the team selection process. Provide citations to strengthen your claims.
Describe how value is created for each stakeholder, and in what ways will the team positively impact the business as a whole?
Full Answer Section
- Carla Sanchez: Carla's background in market research and focus on community engagement ensures the team considers the needs of diverse ridership demographics. Her bilingual skills further enhance her ability to connect with the Latino community (Southwest Transit Team Member Profiles: Carla Sanchez).
- David Jones: David's creative vision and experience in content marketing will be key for crafting compelling messaging across various channels. His collaborative nature and willingness to learn new things make him a perfect fit (Southwest Transit Team Member Profiles: David Jones).
Decision Difficulty & The "Almost" Member
Choosing the final team was a thoughtful process, with careful consideration given to each candidate's strengths and potential synergy within the group. The most challenging choice was between David Jones and Sarah Lee.
While Sarah's experience in event marketing aligns with potential community outreach initiatives, David's broader skillset in content marketing across various platforms (digital, print) and his collaborative nature ultimately outweighed Sarah's strengths.
Team Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Diverse Skillsets: The team combines traditional media relations, social media expertise, market research, and content creation, providing a well-rounded approach.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Amelia's analytical skills ensure data informs campaign strategies and measures success.
- Community Focus: Carla's background in market research strengthens the team's understanding of diverse ridership needs.
- Collaborative Spirit: David's collaborative nature and Brandon's calm demeanor create an environment conducive to teamwork.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Event Expertise: While outreach is considered, the team might need to partner with other departments or hire temporary resources for large-scale events.
- Experience Balance: Amelia and Brandon are seasoned professionals, while David is relatively new. Effective mentoring and knowledge sharing within the team will be crucial.
Management Team's Perspective
Overall, the management team is positive about this team's potential. The diverse skillsets and focus on data-driven marketing strategies align perfectly with Southwest Transit's vision.
Leading the Team to Success
Motivation:
- We will utilize Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, focusing on both hygiene factors (competitive salary, benefits) and motivators (challenging work, recognition) to keep the team engaged (Frederick Herzberg, "One More Time: How Do You Motivate Employees?" Harvard Business Review, January-February 1968).
- Goal-setting theory will be implemented, establishing clear, achievable goals for the team and celebrating milestones to maintain a sense of accomplishment (Edwin A. Locke & Gary P. Latham, "A Theory of Goal Setting & Task Performance," Prentice-Hall, 1990).
Conflict Resolution:
- We will adopt a collaborative conflict resolution approach, encouraging open communication and brainstorming solutions that address everyone's concerns (Kenneth W. Thomas & Kenneth J. L. Yeo, "An Integrative Model of Interorganizational Conflict Resolution," Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 28, No. 3, 1985).
Ensuring Success:
- Transformational leadership will be employed, fostering creativity and innovation within the team while providing clear direction and support (James M. Burns, "Leadership," Harper & Row, 1978).
- Regular performance reviews will be conducted to identify areas for improvement and celebrate achievements.
Conscious Capitalism and Stakeholder Orientation
The team embodies conscious capitalism by focusing not just on profit, but on creating a positive impact for all stakeholders.
- Stakeholder orientation played a significant role in team selection. Carla's focus on diverse ridership needs ensures the team considers the well-being of the community (Edward Freeman, "Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach," Pitman Publishing, 1984).
Value Creation for Stakeholders:
- Riders: Improved service communication, engaging content on preferred channels, and outreach efforts focusing on community needs.
- Employees: Team members will be empowered to contribute their expertise, leading to skill development and career growth.
Sample Answer
Team Selection: The Final Four
After careful consideration of the Southwest Transit Team Member Profiles, the following four individuals were chosen to form the marketing dream team:
- Amelia Rose: Amelia brings a wealth of experience in social media marketing and analytics. Her data-driven approach and understanding of the millennial market make her a valuable asset (Southwest Transit Team Member Profiles: Amelia Rose).
- Brandon Miller: Brandon's expertise in traditional media relations and brand storytelling will be crucial for reaching a wider audience. His calm demeanor and ability to build rapport will also be helpful for team dynamics (Southwest Transit Team Member Profiles: Brandon Miller).