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Case # 18 Robin Hood

By Kelly Shaw

Gene Freund AL 371 Business Policy 25 March 2012

Many remember Robin Hood as a thief who stole from the rich to give to the poor. He lived in the Sherwood Forest near Nottingham. Robin Hood opposed the High Sheriff of Nottingham and his administration and disagreed with many of his actions. Robin Hood knew that he alone could not fight off the Sheriff, so he sought allies with others who also complained about the Sheriff. This started a band of men known as the Merrymen and Robin Hood was their leader. During the groups first year, they became disciplined and skilled outlaws that took shelter in the Sherwood Forest. They stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Robin Hood delegated particular tasks to his lieutenants in the band. One lieutenant was responsible for collecting information on the moves of the Sheriff and his men, as well as the rich merchants and tax collectors. Another lieutenant was responsible for the finances and another one was in charge of food and other supplies. The last lieutenant was responsible for the training and discipline of the group. The number of Merrymen was starting to grow at an alarming rate; creating a food shortage within the forest. Travelers began to travel around Sherwood Forest causing the bands looting revenues to dwindle. During this time, the Sheriff was growing more efficient and stronger everyday. The Barons wanted to overthrow Prince John, and bring King Richard back. They asked Robin Hood to join them in exchange for amnesty, but Robin Hood felt this was a dangerous situation. He needed to decide what to do in order to carry on his campaign. In order to make his band of Merrymen successful, Robin Hood will need to take a step back and really look at what he has created. Robin Hood needs to take a look at himself and what he is promoting. Robbing from the rich and giving to the poor? Is this ethical? Robbing, for any reason is wrong. Why does Robin Hood think he is better than the Sherriff when he too is doing wrong? What kind of image is Robin Hood making for his band of Merrymen? Success of an organization greatly depends on the

brand image that is created. Essentially Robin Hood is creating an image of a large bunch of thieves. Thieves are dishonest and eventually this will shine through. People will eventually see that what he is doing is wrong and is hurting everyone. Merchants will start raising prices to recover their losses from what Robin Hood has stolen from them, creating a downward spiraling effect. If the merchants raise their prices, the poor will get even poorer. Robin Hood is not doing anyone any good by leading a band of thieves. Robbing the rich is wrong and giving to the poor is just as wrong. By giving to the poor, you are not teaching anyone anything. People will appreciate things more if they earn it. Helping the poor is a more realistic vision. Robin Hood should concentrate on educating or training the poor; helping them make more of the resources that they have available to them, showing them how to work with each other and building on each others strengths. By just giving to the poor, you are making them in a sense even poorer. There is truth to the belief strength in numbers but it is also the utilization of what you have that makes this statement true. Robin Hood needs to start taking a look at his band of Merrymen and analyzing them according to their abilities. This is a key component in successfully staffing any type of organization. By recognizing and utilizing his internal members with high potential in key areas would make his band of men more effective. Planning is a fundamental tool that ensures that the right people with the right skills are in the right places at the right time. This would help Robin Hood to develop a better understanding of the areas that needed to be strengthened. He could then stop using his band of Merrymen from robbing the rich as he would be able to help the poor in a honest and ethical way.

Then Robin Hood would need a clear strategy. Strategy drives action. A good strategy combines both internal and external factors. A good strategy should have a good external fit and be in line with the current social and economic conditions. Robin Hoods band of Merrymen had become so popular and well known that more and more were joining every day. With the Merrymen's numbers growing, game in the forest was becoming less available. Travelers and other merchants were avoiding the forest and were finding new routes in their journeys. The forest was the Merrymens key supply of raw materials and money. Faced with the crisis of a possibility of a shortage of supplies, Robin Hood was forced to think of alternatives. It was suggested to start charging a local tax on the travelers to go through the forest. However this was vehemently objected by his band as it went against the "Principles of his band. Sometimes doing the right thing entails a degree of sacrifice and you might be required to pursue an outcome which is less favorable to yourself for the sake of the greater good. Robin Hood needs to forget about his personal vendetta against the Sherriff and look at the example he is setting. As a leader, Robin Hood has the social responsibility to make the best choices that he can, and thievery is not the best choice.

As I develop in mind, body, and spirit, I pledge on my honor that I have not given, received, witnessed, nor have knowledge of unauthorized aid on this paper.

-Kelly ShawWorks Cited Thompson, Arthur A, et al. Crafting & Executing Strategy: The Quest for Competitive Advantage. New York, NY, 2012.