Thanks for 24 Years of Service Free Essays

1. How valid do you think the comments are that Russ is hearing? Answer – Students’ answers will vary with their age and experience. The issue is the validity of the comments. We will write a custom essay sample on Thanks for 24 Years of Service or any similar topic only for you Order Now The issue is dealing with the perceptions. Basically, Russ needs to translate his experience into transferable job skills and sell himself as an adaptive person. Most of what he’s hearing is probably stereotypical, but he can’t re educate the job market; he has to reinvent himself. 2. If you were a small business executive in need of someone with extensive financial experience, would you consider Russ? Explain your position. Answer – Again students’ answers will vary. Pro—great extensive experience, new ideas from a different industry, and a high performance track record. Con—the need to adjust to a new company culture, possibility of leaving due to pay issues, not knowing the specific business. Discuss with students how they could address the cons either as a business owner or as Russ. Business owner—assign a mentor to help cultural adjustment, offer pay incentives tied to company growth and profitability that could help make up for the pay cut. Russ—shift his own attitude and realize the world has changed, work for a temp agency to get experience in smaller companies, study the company’s industry and bring a series of new ideas with him to the interview that related specifically to a small company in that industry. 3. What suggestions might you make to Russ to help him find suitable employment? Answer – See comments under #2. Russ’ biggest challenge is changing his own mindset and then demonstrating that to potential employers. Focus on transferable, skills not specific job experience How to cite Thanks for 24 Years of Service, Papers Thanks for 24 Years of Service Free Essays Thanks for 24 Years of Service. Now Here’s the Door! Russ McDonald graduated from the University of Michigan with his MBA in 1971. He chose General Motors for several reasons. We will write a custom essay sample on Thanks for 24 Years of Service or any similar topic only for you Order Now Russ began his career at GM as a cost analyst at the company’s Fisher Body division in Detroit. From there he proceeded through a long sequence of increased job responsibilities. In 20 years he rose to assistant vice president of finance in the corporate treasury department. His salary was $134,000 a year, and, in a good year, he could expect a bonus of anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000. GM’s slow response to change resulted in a serious erosion in the company’s market position, a drop from 1:2 new cars sold in the United States being a GM product to 1:4. GM closed inefficient plants, reorganized divisions, introduced new production technologies, and made huge cuts in its staff. Russ McDonald’s job was eliminated less than a year short of his 25th anniversary with GM. He was offered early retirement. He took the company’s offer rather than be pushed out later with a less attractive severance package. He was 49 years old with 24 years of experience; he could find another job. Related essay: External Corporate Communications Out of work for nearly 30 months, he responded to dozens of employment ads, sent out more than 200 resumes, talked with several executive recruiting firms, and spent more than $7,000 on employment counseling. No luck. His experience wasn’t relevant to today’s workplace; small companies wanted flexible people; corporate types like Russ were seen as â€Å"mentally rigid. † Even if there was a job he would have to take at least a 50 percent cut in pay, and employers figured Russ would be demotivated and likely to â€Å"jump ship† at the first opportunity. How to cite Thanks for 24 Years of Service, Essay examples