Leading Change at Simmons with the GGOL Simmons Opportunity to Roll Out the GGOL Program William A. Owen MGMT 6351 Dr. Donna Stringer 10/16/14 Executive Summary The following case anlaysis has been conducted on the Harvard Business Review’s Leading Change at Simmons article. The analysis intends to present the situation at Simmons during 2001 and some key management decisions to consider that would positively decide the organization’s fate. There are several challenges
Words: 3775 - Pages: 16
Leading Change at Simmons (A): The Challenges of Leadership in Managing Cultural Change in Large-Scale Organisations Introduction This case study examines the challenges of leadership and how they manage change in large-scale organisations. This particular case examines Simmons, a 130-year-old manufacturer and distributor of mattresses; it highlights the challenges faced by the newly employed CEO, Charlie Eitel, who has been hired by major shareholders, Fenway Partners to overhaul the organisation’s
Words: 2571 - Pages: 11
Introduction About Simmons: Simmons, founded by Zalmon Gilbert Simmons, is a family-run company. In 1875, Simmons decided to change their business from wood products to woven wire mattresses, which contributed great profits to the company. During 1920s, Simmons had been an international firm with factories in Mexico City, London, and Paris, unusual for the era. But in 1978, Simmons ceased to be a family-run business. Following this switch came a succession of many owners, leaving Simmons unstable and
Words: 1664 - Pages: 7
1/2 An Executive Who Ruled From Afar and Walked Away Rich David J. Swift Charlie and Cindy Eitel at one of their homes, in Jackson Hole, Wyo., in 2008. Mr. Eitel ran Simmons for several of its private equity owners. By JULIE CRESWELL Published: October 4, 2009 TWITTER New employees at the headquarters of the Simmons Bedding Company got a little book containing 84 sayings of their boss, Charlie Eitel. Saying No. 1: “In order to create a viable vision you must answer one very fundamental
Words: 851 - Pages: 4
mainly concentrates on the challenges faced by Simmons in implementing the change program. There is a resistance to change from both individuals and organization. On top of the resistance to change dominant organizational culture exists in Simmons. Leaders can reinforce desirable behavior and discourage undesirable behavior. Culture can be a major asset or liability to an organization depending on whether or not culture leads to desired behaviors. Simmons had the competitive advantage over competitors
Words: 1345 - Pages: 6
Simmons Case (A) Review They say there are only two things constant in life: death and taxes, the rest of the time we are faced with change. Since 1875 the Simmons Company has seen many changes in product lines and technology; however by 2001 they were facing out dated leadership techniques and economic challenges that needed to be addressed in order for the company to survive. Eitel, Simmons CEO, found division between manufacturing plants and low morale throughout many of the factories. In
Words: 1328 - Pages: 6
Simmons Case Study In the year 2001, the Simmons Bedding Company was experiencing economic difficulties, which needed to be addressed for the company to maintain operation. Charlie Eitel, CEO of Simmons made the decision that the company had to make changes to its culture. A major change Charles Eitel contemplated was implementing the Great Game of Life (GGOL) program into the company. Introducing the GGOL program into the company will bring about positive changes to the company that will boost
Words: 1669 - Pages: 7
There are many reasons why someone may take this path but the bottom-line is this person has a strong will and determination to succeed. The leading entrepreneurs I have chosen are Mary Kay Ash and Russell Simmons. Russell Simmons is a business mogul, activist, best-selling author and he is owner and founder of RUSH Communications. RUSH Communications is a leading multi-faceted holding company with investments in well-known and respected brands in three industry segments: entertainment and media; fashion
Words: 1403 - Pages: 6
Question 1. The revised case, originally written by Alex Bavelas, portrays a story of Bob Knowlton, an employee who acts as project head at Simmons Securities. Throughout the short case, Bavelas narrates about Knowlton and his computer simulation project, the ‘Millennium derivative’, in addition to how the introduction of fellow employee Simon Fester affected him personally, and the organisation and group he was associated with (Bavelas). Bob Knowlton, prior to the introduction of Simon Fester
Words: 1211 - Pages: 5
Case Analysis – Leading Change at Simmons 1. The reinforcement theory heavily emphasizes on the concept of motivation, which is comprised of the idea of producing a positive result and countering a negative result. There is a striking difference in the Simmons plant culture in terms of motivation techniques of the worker in the typical manufacturing plant and the Janesville plant. In regards to the typical manufacturing plant’s culture, there was no particular sense of motivation. These plants
Words: 922 - Pages: 4