A report on

Case: We Googled You

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 Written Analysis and Communication

A report on

Case: We Googled You

Submitted as an assignment for WAC course (term II)

PGP IIM Indore, 2019-21

Submitted to Prof. Abha Chatterjee by:

Saurav Gajananrao Dhole
(2019PGP130)

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Letter of Transmittal

Prof. Abha Chatterjee

Indian Institute of Management, Indore
Rau-Pithampur Road
Indore, Madhya Pradesh – 453556

Nov 24, 2019

Dear Ma’am,

I am submitting this report on the case: “We Googled You” as a part of assignment for the
course on Written Analysis and Communication. I look forward to your feedback.

Warm Regards,
Saurav Dhole
(2019PGP130)
Section B

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Executive Summary

Fred, the CEO of Hathaway Jones, a luxury apparel retailer in US, is looking to expand in
Chinese market. For which he came across a perfect candidate, Mimi. Mimi is qualified in
every way to lead the company’s expansion in China. Except, that she was involved in a
protest in the country, during her graduation days there, and unfortunately this information
is available on google, so anyone who would be looking for it could find it easily. So, Fred now
is not sure if he should hire Mimi or not. After evaluating all the options and considering
various criteria it is recommended that Fred should hire Mimi for the US office.

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Table of Content

1. Situational Analysis 6

2. Problem Statement 6

3. Alternative Solutions 7

4. Evaluation Criteria 7

5. Evaluation of Alternatives 7

6. Recommendations 9

7. Implementation Plan 9

8. Contingency Plan 9

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Situational Analysis
A USA based luxury apparel retailer, Hathaway Jones, is going through difficult
financial times. Fred Western, the CEO of the company wants to tap into the growing Chinese
Market, which is growing at the rate of 70%.
Mimi was introduced to Fred, by his old friend, who happened to Mimi’s father and
knew that Mimi was interested in Hathaway Jones’ China expansion. As, Mimi was brought
up in China, she was quite familiar with Mandarin and the local dialect also, she had majored
in Chinese history. Mimi’s previous job experience, her letters of recommendations and her
overall profile along with the Chinese cultural understanding made her an excellent candidate
for handling the company’s expansion in China. Fred interviewed Mimi for the same, and was
quite impressed with her.
After the interview, the HR at Hathaway Jones, Virginia, was compiling a file on Mimi,
when she found on google, that Mimi was involved in a protest in China against some Chinese
policy, during her college days. Virginia was worried that if someone else finds this
information on Mimi while she is leading the China expansion, then it might reflect badly on
the company’s image as well as sales. So, she brought this to Fred’s notice, he was now
uncertain about his decision of hiring Mimi.
One another problem is that, what Virginia is illegal. As, searching about someone
without their permission is against the privacy laws. Also, relationship between Fred and
Virginia are not that good.

Problem Statement
What should be Fred do in order to make sure that China expansion succeeds?

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Alternative Solutions

1. Do not hire Mimi.

2. Ignore Virginia’s concern and hire Mimi.
3. Hire Mimi to work in USA.

Evaluation Criteria

a. Effect on China Expansion plan.

b. Opportunity Cost to be incurred.
c. Legal risk involved.

Evaluation of Alternatives

Alternative 1: Do not hire Mimi.

Criteria a: Effect on China Expansion plan. (Moderate Negative)

We can look for other candidate to help us expand in China. Only loss would be the
delay in project.

Criteria b: Opportunity Cost to be incurred. (High Negative)

Losing a candidate as qualified as Mimi would be a huge loss. Plus, we are not sure
that we would be able to find an appropriate candidate without any controversial past.
Also, this might spoil Fred’s relationship with Mimi’s father.

Criteria c: Legal risk involved. (Extremely Low Negative)

Mimi might demand to know the reason for not employing her. But, since no contract
has been signed yet, it doesn’t matter.

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Alternative 2: Ignore Virginia’s concern and hire Mimi.

Criteria a: Effect on China Expansion plan. (Moderate Negative)

China plan would start well initially, but there would always be a risk of someone
finding out what Virginia found out and it might have negative effect on business in
China.

Criteria b: Opportunity Cost to be incurred. (Low Negative)

Greg’s relationship with Virginia would be spoiled further.

Criteria c: Legal risk involved. (No effect)

None.

Alternative 3: Hire Mimi to work in USA.

Criteria a: Effect on China Expansion plan. (Moderate Positive)

We will have to look for another candidate to work on China expansion. To whom
Mimi can provide with her expertise by staying employed in USA.

Criteria b: Opportunity Cost to be incurred. (Neutral)

No opportunity cost will be incurred.

Criteria c: Legal risk involved. (Netural)

No legal risk involved either.

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Recommendation
It is recommended that Fred should hire Mimi in USA office.

Implementation Plan
Fred should meet Mimi personally and offer her to work at USA office while she can assist the
China team in expanding there. A position should be created for her at the US office as “US
head of China expansion project”, she should be given independency to hire people and form
a team to work in China. Arrangements for her to be able to contact the China team whenever
she wants, should be made available.

Contingency Plan
In case Mimi refuses to work in US, Fred should let her go and look for other proper candidate
for China expansion.