It is 1901. Alicia Smithfield, daughter of the founder of Smithfield Custom Furniture, just inherited the company. Sh
Headquartered in upstate New York, the company has grown significantly over the past 60 years. Began in a she
developed a huge following among New York City’s wealthiest residents.
After being educated in the best business schools in Europe and America, Alicia has run the business side-by-sid
were many issues confronting the business, a tree being felled took an unexpected route and brought Jonas’ life t
The company had just moved to a facility large enough to house its workers: 10 carpenters; 5 furniture designers;
operators to assist with the various equipment needed to cut the wood into various designs, polish and sand the w
that transported wood from upstate New York and Canada to the work area in good repair; 15 lumberjacks who cu
the rugged highway by truck; and 5 office personnel who assisted with filing, invoicing, drafting and responding to
other necessary office functions. More than half of these employees were hired in the past 5 years.
Alicia’s Big Issues
The major issues confronting Alicia Smithfield are these:
(1) The furniture manufacturing functions are very disorganized. It is not clear how to best organize these function
method to complete all of their tasks.
(2) The production schedule is a mess. It is not clear which projects should be completed first in order to ensure p
(3) The lumberjacks, both in cutting trees down and shipping them by truck or boat, differ on the best methods to
(4) Tempers are flaring as a result of the disorganization. The office, clerical, and support workers are rude to eac
(5) While the company is financially successful, as it has grown from a small family-owned business to a large an
pace. Few formal rules exist and the keeping and maintenance of records are haphazard.
(6) Employees are feeling overworked and losing satisfaction in the work they are doing. They believe their basic
Alicia’s Proposed Issue Solutions
Alicia Smithfield is familiar with the writings and contributions of each of the contributors to management theory yo
from the readings to solve each of the issues listed above. But, she is unclear as to which individuals in the readin
Your Task for Your Initial Post
You are to answer for Alicia Smithfield any four (4) of the above mentioned six (6) issues. Specifically, she has as
issues confronting her. You have been requested to explain to Alicia why you selected the four consultants you ch
consultant will solve one of the four issues you identified that particular consultant to address. You should explain
that contribution/idea applies to the specific issue you have recommended that person solve. You should identify t
Note: You may not use any of the individuals in the readings to solve more than one of the four (4) issues. In the e
inconvenience stand in your way. You may still use that individual to solve a specific issue.
For research associated with this discussion, you must use course materials only. You must provide APA formatte
you select.